Group wants to decriminalize some marijuana violations - Joplin, MO (AP)

Joplin — Joplin residents may be asked to vote next year on a proposal to reduce the penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and the paraphernalia that's used to smoke it.

A small group of supporters started the campaign to change the laws with a news conference Friday at Joplin's City Hall.

Kelly Maddy, president of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said he and others want to give Joplin citizens a chance to "enact a more sensible marijuana policy."

Maddy was joined by Kris Krane, executive director of the national organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Ryan Denham, president of the Alliance for Drug Reform Policy in Arkansas.

More than 200 people were arrested in Joplin for marijuana use in 2005, said Maddy, who said police resources could be better used for more serious crime.

"Our city's marijuana laws are not only a waste of taxpayer money and police resources, they are by definition a failed policy," he said.

If approved by Joplin voters in November 2008, the ballot proposal, called the Sensible Sentencing Initiative, would make possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia an administrative offense.

Under the proposal, adults arrested for simple possession of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia would not be jailed or have to post bond. Those found guilty in municipal court would be subject to maximum fine of $250.

Under current law, those arrested and convicted of marijuana possession or possession of paraphernalia within the city of Joplin are subject to a $500 fine and/or 100 days or less in jail based on the judge's discretion.

Possession cases generally are not referred to the county prosecutor unless someone is holding 35 grams or more of marijuana, making it a felony offense, according to Cpl. Chuck Niess, a spokesman for the Joplin Police Department.

To get the initiative on the November 2008 ballot, supporters will have to collect valid signatures from 15 percent of registered voters in Joplin as of the April general municipal election. City Clerk Barbara Hogelin estimated that would be close to 5,000 valid signatures.

Maddy said the proposal is essentially the same initiative that passed in Columbia in 2004 with 61 percent of the vote. A similar initiative passed in Eureka Springs, Ark., last November with 64 percent voter approval.

"We will have almost a year to collect the needed signatures, and I think that it is a very doable thing," he said."

 

This is excellent. Columbia, MO has already decriminalized at the municipal level

 

I think things like that are really cool...they can turn into some sort of tipping point. Like other areas would be like "hey it works in other areas, we can do it too" and who knows how far it will go. I remain very optimistic.

 

WEBSITE LAUNCHED

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WWW.SENSIBLEJOPLIN.ORG

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Sensible Joplin is a community group, made up of citizens who want to save tax dollars, reduce serious crime in their community, and create sensible laws regarding marijuana possession.

We are always looking for volunteers to help out, whether it be aiding in community outreach, sharing ideas, or working with local officials to help pass this valuable initiative.

For more information, or to get involved, please contact us at:

417.291.0135 or email us at info@sensiblejoplin.org

You can specifically reach staff below:

Kelly Maddy - Campaign Director

kelly@sensiblejoplin.org

Jeremy Mitchell - Treasurer

jmitchell@sensiblejoplin.org

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Or you can snail mail us:

Sensible Joplin
PO BOX 4591
Joplin, MO 64804

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We'd love to hear from you!

 

I'm a member of Joplin NORML but rarely make it to the meetings.

 

We could really use the help. It is amazing to me only 15-20 people are really helping this campaign.

Why are others standing up?

 

I know Kelly, whos working on this, if you guys want to get signatures, you can get paid 50-100 dollars, they have enough funds to pay ppl to get sigs for the petition.

 

I'd do it if I was closer in the area. Joplins like 5 hrs away, and I cant drive.

 

— exactly
“Exactly, 75 to 100 good size joints or several 100 pipe bowls? Where do you get your weed? It’s plain to see you don’t know what your talking about! lol”
— Toj
“I suppose next they’ll want to decriminalize DUI.”
— plato
“If you legalize pot, the next thing you know the dopers will want us to legalize meth and crack. Don’t open this door!”



I found this on HERE



I find it funny how these people say so much shit about marijuana but when it comes down to it there are so many different uses for marijuana, and it is nothing like crack or meth. I hate it when people say such things, uneducated!

 

100 days in jail for possession of marijuana? Isn't that overkill for the crime being committed. I have a question about the new proposal. Would the people caught with misdemeanor possession still be processed through the jail system and released a few hours later or would they just be given a summons to appear in court similar to a traffic ticket? I believe that there should be less penalty for people who smoke marijuana for personal reasons but steeper penalties for those who sell marijuana, especially to minors. The marijuana issue should be more under the control of the health department and less under the criminal justice system as marijuana is more of a public health issue. Those with serious problems should be treated as opposed to incarcerated.
Drug Rehab Program

 

Just don't get caught...it's so much easier

 

Only 1,033 more signatures needed to get it on the Nov 08 ballot?

If I lived in Joplin's city limits, I'd sign.

 

That is an arrogant and ridiculous thing to say. They shouldn't have to worry about getting caught as long as they are acting in a responsible manner.

Legalize it, tax it, and regulate it.

The whole issue is a rather simple one.

 

unfortunately, they didnt get all of the signatures they needed, they were a bit short,

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We submitted our supplemental signatures to the city clerk, but it looks like we will still be short the number needed by roughly 400-500 signatures. We will know the exact number on Wednesday, August 20th. That means we have collected over 4,000 signatures from Joplin voters that favor changing Joplin's failed marijuana policies!! Never before in our history have this many citizen's voiced their opposition to the disastrous policy of criminalizing adults for the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

We will be reviewing the over 1,900 invalid signatures to see if there were any that weren't counted that should have been, but the time period to place initiative on the November ballot has expired.

Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement. But most of all thanks to all of our hard working volunteers. It clearly shows a small group of people can accomplish amazing things.

We will continue to work towards promoting a more sensible marijuana policy in Joplin.

Be sure to visit the Joplin NORML chapter's website (http://www.joplin-norml.org) to get involved in educating Joplin's public about the failed policy of marijuana prohibition. We need your help to change the law!