The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Sensible Sentencing Initiative

Discussion

February 10, 2008

Voices: Unsupported criticisms

The letter by Dianne Slater (Globe, Jan. 31) is based more on a logical fallacy than actual scientific data on behavioral patterns of marijuana users.

Naturally, critics of such a move warn that decriminalizing cannabis will increase pot use among Joplin’s young people. Such concerns, while understandable, are not supported by epidemiological evidence. Passage of similar legislation elsewhere has not led to increased marijuana use or altered adolescents’ perceptions regarding the potential harms of drug use. In fact, the only U.S. government study ever commissioned to assess whether the enforcement of strict legal penalties positively impacts marijuana use found: “Overall, the preponderance of the evidence which we have gathered and examined points to the conclusion that decriminalization has had virtually no effect either on the marijuana use or on related attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use among American young people.”

Also, if anything contributes to sexual crimes it would be a legal drug, alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly used chemical in drug-facilitated sexual assault. This is especially telling through the observation that many organizations dedicated to studying and educating about sexual assault do not list marijuana as a substance associated with incidents.

In addition, the gateway theory is a myth made up by prohibitionists to justify making something illegal that is less harmful than alcohol. According to the Institute of Medicine (in a report commissioned by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy): “There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone (to other drugs) on the basis of its particular physiological effect.”

Let’s face it, the police have more important responsibilities than arresting around 240 people a year for marijuana possession in Joplin, especially given the added justice costs of disposing of each of these cases. Marijuana arrests make justice more costly and less efficient, clogging up court systems, and diverting time of police, attorneys, judges, and corrections officials away from violent crime, the sexual abuse of children, and terrorism.

Kelly Maddy

Campaign Director for Sensible Joplin

Joplin

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Joplin Sensible Sentencing Initiative
  • Organizers say petition drive on marijuana plan near goal A petition drive to put a marijuana-decriminalization proposal before the city of Joplin is close to having the necessary number of signatures, according to organizers.

    June 18, 2008

  • Voices: Unsupported criticisms The letter by Dianne Slater (Globe, Jan. 31) is based more on a logical fallacy than actual scientific data on behavioral patterns of marijuana users.

    Naturally, critics of such a move warn that decriminalizing cannabis will increase pot use among Joplin’s young people. Such concerns, while understandable, are not supported by epidemiological evidence.

    February 10, 2008

  • <img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/breaking.gif " Border=0> 11/21/07, 2:58 p.m. Marijuana decriminalization initiative petition announced On Friday afternoon, standing on the sidewalk at Joplin City Hall, Kelly Maddy, the president of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, flanked by Kris Krane, the executive director of the national organization, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Ryan Denham, President of the Alliance for Drug Reform Policy in Arkansas, fired the first shot in what will be a year-long battle to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana within the city of Joplin and the paraphernalia that’s used to smoke it.

    February 3, 2008

  • images_sizedimage_028235035 <img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> Pot-signature drive kicks into gear <font color="#ff0000">w/ links Sensible Sentencing Initiative info, audio, video & petition language</font> Four months after Kelly Maddy stood on the sidewalk outside Joplin City Hall, flanked by supporters of his effort to decriminalize marijuana use in the city, the campaign is kicking into high gear.

    Maddy, president of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, spent several hours Sunday in front of Dillons grocery store, soliciting signatures for the Sensible Sentencing Initiative. He met with a couple of less-than-friendly responses.

    February 2, 2008 1 Photo 4 Links

  • images_sizedimage_033103148 Dave Woods: Readers fire shots in war on war on drugs I have to admit, I admire Kelly Maddy. I admire the grassroots political organizer’s commitment to the marijuana decriminalization cause and the work he has done in Joplin in support of the Sensible Sentencing Initiative.

    February 2, 2008 1 Photo 1 Link

  • images_sizedimage_033103638 Guest column: Legal marijuana would help millions Have you heard the news? There is now a low-cost drug proven to ease a cancer patient’s suffering. Not only does this drug reduce the physical and psychological pain of cancer, but, more importantly, it restores a chemotherapy patient’s appetite.

    The drug, of course, is marijuana.

    February 2, 2008 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_034193221 Pot petitions gaining ground It might seem unlikely that an initiative petition aimed at decriminalizing possession of limited amounts of marijuana and the paraphernalia used to smoke it could make it onto the ballot in Joplin — let alone pass muster with voters.

    But similar efforts have passed in nearby cities such as Columbia and Eureka Springs, Ark.

    “We weren’t sure what to anticipate,” said Columbia police Chief Randy Boehm.

    January 28, 2008 1 Photo

  • Voices: Give voters the choice Several letters to the editor have voiced concerns regarding the launch of our municipal initiative petition to lessen the criminal penalties associated with the possession of small amounts of marijuana. We understand those concerns and wish to address them.

    Currently, Joplin police arrest an estimated 230 people annually for violating marijuana laws.

    October 10, 2007

  • Voices: Legalize marijuana As a Christian, I wish Kelly Maddy and the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws success, but for re-legalizing, not just decriminalizing, cannabis.

    September 30, 2007

  • images_sizedimage_033103148 Dave Woods: Pot stories keep comments section smokin' Joplin police Chief Lane J. Roberts was blunt about his past use of marijuana during a recent interview concerning the launch of the Sensible Sentencing Initiative.

    September 28, 2007 1 Photo 2 Links