[420 Girl]

'I Don't Have a Problem With It at All,' Says Cieslewicz

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said on a radio talk show Friday that if it were up to him, marijuana would be legal.

"I don't have a problem with it at all," Cieslewicz said on the "Sly In The Morning" show on WTDY-AM ( 1670 ).

But mayoral spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson said Monday that "it was just a personal opinion" and "not a policy initiative of any kind."

"I thank him for his candor, but I'm disappointed he's not willing to take it any farther," said Gary Storck. co-founder of the Madison chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

"This is a city that's known for cannabis - why not run with it?" Storck said, adding that it would be better than Madison being known for alcohol intoxication. "If it's legal, the city could benefit from all the green businesses that would grow up around it."

Cieslewicz made the comment while discussing a recent incident at a State Street lounge where a Madison police officer said she smelled burnt marijuana but failed to investigate further after she saw Downtown Ald. Mike Verveer. Officer Carrie Hemming was given a letter of reprimand.

"It doesn't matter what I think," Cieslewicz said. "What matters is what is legal and illegal now."

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