Wisconsin State Patrol Traffic Stops Targeting THC Near Ironwood

The Wisconsin State Patrol is enforcing Wisconsin's strict ban on THC near the Michigan Border. While local law enforcement agencies tend to look the other way, the Wisconsin State Patrol certainly isn't.

I've been hearing rumors of people getting pulled over for minor infractions and then being searched for THC just outside of Ironwood, Michigan, in Iron County, Wisconsin. THC is legal in Michigan (and Ironwood has become a boomtown), but remains illegal in Wisconsin. THC is also legal in Minnesota and Illinois. The entire state of Wisconsin is surrounded by legal THC, but it remains medically illegal in the state.

Why Minnesotans Are Still Going To Ironwood For THC

Minnesota has had a terribly slow rollout for cannabis retail. Prices are, in some cases, higher than the black market. Meanwhile, in Ironwood, the competitiveness of several dispensaries has led to prices so low that it's worth the 2-hour drive, especially for those people who have medical conditions and use cannabis to help.

Read More: Comparing MN Cannabis Prices To Michigan

What Happens When You Get Pulled Over

A friend of mine, Mike, was recently pulled over by the Wisconsin State Patrol for an issue with his license plates just a mile or so across the border. The trooper explained why he was pulled over and then asked if he had any THC in the car.

"Before You Answer, If You Lie, You Go To Jail"

Before he could answer, the trooper said, "Before you say anything, if you lie to me and I find it, you go to jail. If you're honest with me, it's a citation." He handed over everything he had.

Mike suffers from chronic pain from injuries and surgeries that have led him to an early retirement in his mid 50s. After years of trying to find a solution, he found that THC gummies help relieve the pain and give him a functional life. The deal he found at a dispensary in Michigan was 5 bags of gummies for $10. To put that in perspective, 5 bags of gummies in Minnesota right now would cost you about $150-200. So, when you make the long drive to Ironwood, you take advantage of the deal.

The trooper took the THC items back to his squad. Minutes later, he returned and then searched the vehicle. Both occupants were issued a citation for THC, a citation for drug paraphernalia, and told it was mandatory that they appear in court.

Snow Covered License Plate Leads To THC Charge

A couple of my father's friends went to Ironwood to get some products, and they were pulled over on the border for having snow on their license plate. In case you're unfamiliar with the UP, it's always snowy there. A story similar to Mike's happened with the same threat. If you lie to me, you go to jail. If you're honest, you get a ticket.

Do They Confiscate The THC?

A common question is, if you are charged, do you get to keep the THC? And the answer is absolutely not. It's gone. You're out of luck. Your money is wasted, and now you're going to have to pay a fine.

What's The Penalty For THC Possession in Wisconsin?

Here's the tricky part. While the majority of Wisconsonites (and the rest of the world) agree that it should be legal, it isn't. The state of Wisconsin has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country. Your first offense of a small possession (under 28 grams) can be 30 days in jail or up to a $1,000 fine.

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However, local counties and municipalities in many parts of the state have voted to decriminalize it. In this case, Iron County, Wisconsin, charged him with a violation of county ordinance and fined him close to $300, including court fees. Fortunately, they treated it as a non-criminal offense.