Links about the history of marijuana prohibition

•  Legal History of Cannabis in the United States - Wikipedia
• The Forbidden Fruit And The Tree Of Knowledge: An Inquiry Into The Legal History Of American Marijuana Prohibition - Virginia Law Review
• NORML Report on Sixty Years of Marijuana Prohibition
• Unfortunate History of Marijuana Prohibition in the United States
• The History of Cannabis Prohibition 1937-1962
• Colorado Votes to Legalize Marijuana For Recreational Use 2012

Budgetary impact of marijuana prohibition on the United States

• Costs of Marijuana Prohibition: An Economic Analysis - Jeffrey A. Miron, 2005
• Steve Jobs and Drug Policy Salon Article 2011
• Decriminalization of Drugs in Portugal - A CATO Institute Study 2009

The marijuana prohibition may not be he stupidest law there is, but it ranks up there. That said, possession, growing and distribution of marijuana is illegal. Simple possession of small amounts is routinely charged as a crime in most of Wisconsin. Conviction can result in loss of student financial aid, driving privileges and freedom. Operating a motor vehicle with a detectible amount of THC in the blood is treated the same as drunk driving. Second offense possession is a felony. Selling (even giving away) or growing marijuana is a felony. People in larger communities take for granted the non-criminal treatment of possession. Then they travel on the Interstate highways or to Wisconsin Dells, and get a nasty surprise. Recently (2011) I had a client facing years in prison receive three years probation and a year in jail because he had smoked a marijuana blunt in another state and driven later in Wisconsin. He was sentenced for OWI even though the marijuana almost certainly had no effect on his driving (being tired, sick & cold did). Another young man had a woman cut in front of him on the highway and they collided. She died. He had smoked marijuana. He is charged with murder. Currently the consequences of a marijuana conviction are far more harmful to the marijuana user than the effects of the drug! I do not encourage anyone to use, possess, or grow marijuana under these circumstances - not even for personal or medical use.

See also: Medical Marijuana Gallery
Peer Reviewed Studies on Medical Marijuana - Summary
Marijuana Legalization - a book at Oxford University Press
Infographic comparing USA, Netherlands, and Portugal - Canadian analysis

My first major marijuana case was charged in 1980 in Dane County.
It was charged as:
Conspiracy to Possess Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.
The case lasted five years before it was dismissed and involved a challenge to the constitutionality of marijuana prohibition.
The challenge was never decided.

Charles Kyle Kenyon - When Experience Matters Zoom Court Appearance Information Attorney at Law 5555 Odana Road, Suite 211 Madison, WI  53719-1280 Telephone (608) 308-9645 Since 1979 Former (Elected) District Attorney Former Assistant State Public Defender Extensive jury trial experience in cases ranging from traffic to sexual assault / homicide Thousands of criminal cases since 1979 Appeals in Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Supreme Court J.D. University of Wisconsin Law School 1978 - winner of Abe Sigman prize B.A. University of Wisconsin - Madison - Psychology - 1975 Trainer / presenter / panelist for American Bar Association, National College of District Attorneys, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin Public Defender Founding Director - Children's Law Section - State Bar of Wisconsin Past-President: Marinette County Bar Association, Door-Kewaunee Bar Association Life Member: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Member: Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) Member: National College for DUI Defense Member: State Bar of Wisconsin, Dane County Bar Association Admitted to practice: State of Wisconsin, Federal - Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Certified to administer roadside Field Sobriety Tests in Wisconsin On FaceBook - Drunk Driving Lawyer    Financing Available

Proud to be a
Wisconsin Lawyer
Expert Adviser - Serving You

Click on images above for larger view

Google Map also available.

• Brief articles - downloads

  Miranda Rights - the other side - a card about your "rights" - for more on Miranda rights click here

  Dressing for Court - A page of thoughts on how to dress for court.

  How to Beat an OWI / DUI Charge in Wisconsin - How I look at a drunk driving case defense.

  Field Sobriety Tests - videos that show what they are looking for, and more.

  Information about the new DUI / OWI Treatment Court for Dane County Wisconsin. (Third offense only.)

  Information about court procedures in DUI / OWI criminal cases.

  What to do if the police want to talk with you. (Web page with videos.)

  Other legal issues to think about

  - Identity Theft

  Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft Home page

  State Bar of Wisconsin on Identity Theft

  Wisconsin Attorney General on Identity Theft

   - Juvenile - Adult - Child ?

  For some purposes a Wisconsin resident is a child at age 17, for other purposes, not until age 18. A person can be considered both an adult and a child by the same law, depending on whether or not they are considered a criminal or a victim. More on the juvenile code,  juvenile delinquency and the criminal code.

  Kinds of charges Kenyon has handled include:
  Homicide First Degree Intentional Homicide (Murder) Reckless Homicide Homicide by Negligent Use of a Dangerous Weapon Homicide by Negligent Use of an Automobile Homicide by Drunk Driving Attempts Other injury to persons Aggravated Battery Substantial Battery Battery - Domestic Violence Armed Battery Battery to a Peace Officer Battery Felony Battery Reckless Endangerment Injury by drunk driving False Imprisonment Felony Child Abuse Theft and misappropriation Theft Forgery Embezzlement Retail Theft Shoplifting Auto Theft Theft of Firearm Theft by Contractor Theft by Fraud Theft of Cable Services Securities Fraud Extortion Peace and Order Disorderly Conduct Disorderly Conduct - Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence - Domestic Abuse Restraining Orders Strangulation or Suffocation Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Harassment Improperly Taking the King's Deer (Hunting out of season or shining) Other DNR Violations Carrying a Concealed Weapon Carrying a Weapon in a School Hit and Run Fleeing or Eluding an Officer Disarming a Peace Officer Resisting an Officer Obstructing an Officer Drunk Driving Reckless Driving Recklessly Endangering Safety Speeding Voter Fraud - Illegal Voting	Drunk Driving - OWI / DUI / DWI / BAC / PAC Injury by Drunk Driving Felony Drunk Driving Drunk Driving - OWI - DUI - BAC - PAC - DWI Driving with a Prohibited Alcohol Content (PAC / BAC) Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (DUI) Driving under the Influence of a Controlled Substance (Drugged Driving) Driving with Prescription Medications in Wisconsin Operating Under the Influence - OWI Impaired Driving Absolute Sobriety CDL - Commercial Drivers License SEE TEN DAYS TO KEEP YOUR LICENSE! Sexual Assault First Degree Sexual Assault Second Degree Sexual Assault Third Degree Sexual Assault Fourth Degree Sexual Assault Sexual Assault to a Child Sexual Assault by a Child Incest Date Rape Sexual Predator (980) Commitments Child Pornography Continuing Sexual Assault of a Child Robbery Robbery Armed Robbery Car Jacking Burglary and Trespass Armed Burglary Burglary Trespass to a Dwelling Damage to Property Arson Criminal Damage to Property Drugs Manufacture of Controlled Substances Manufacture of Marijuana (THC) Delivery of Controlled Substances Delivery of Marijuana (THC) Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (THC) Possession of Controlled Substances Possession of Marijuana (THC) Felony Possession of Marijuana (THC) Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud Prescription Forgery Park and School Enhancers Informants and Undercover Officers
  This list is not complete but is given to give the reader some idea of the scope of my criminal law experience. I have represented juveniles as well as adults on most of these charges. CKK

   

   

 Top of Page -- ADD -- Toastmasters -- Microsoft Word -- Hoofer Sailing Club  -- Argentine Tango

Email Warning (email links below)

By clicking on a button or link below you will be attempting to send an email to the office of Attorney Charles Kyle Kenyon. We do not give legal advice or opinions to non-clients over the phone, the Internet, or by email. Sending an email to us does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential information should not be sent by email. Do not expect that information sent us will be kept secret. If your email is about a legal matter please restrict your email to:

1. Your name address and phone number.
2. The County involved.
3. A time when it would be convenient for someone from this office to contact you and set up a time for you to consult with an attorney.

Clicking on the button or link below means you have read the above and agree to keep any communication about legal matters within these limits.

Copyright ©1997-2023  Charles Kyle Kenyon, Madison, Wisconsin, all rights reserved.

 This is a living hypertext document. If you find any errors, of fact or in links, please contact me so that they may be corrected. Please also write to me for permission to copy. You can reach me at lawyer at Add Balance.