subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Thu, Dec 04 2008 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
email this story   E-mail this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Globe/Roger Nomer Kelly Maddy talks with Joplin City Clerk Barbara Hogelin and Assistant Clerk Barbara Gollhofer (right) on Thursday after submitting petitions carrying what he said are more than 6,000 names. The petitions call for decriminalization of marijuana possession in Joplin.

Published July 10, 2008 04:40 pm - Kelly Maddy is confident he obtained the magic number of signatures that would place a marijuana-decriminalization effort before Joplin voters in November.

Group seeking decriminalization of pot submits petitions for vote w/ Kelly Maddy interview audio



By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

Kelly Maddy is confident he obtained the magic number of signatures that would place a marijuana-decriminalization effort before Joplin voters in November.

“It was a little less than we’d hoped for,” he said Thursday, after he dropped off more than 6,000 signatures at the Joplin city clerk’s office Thursday afternoon. “But we’re confident we did all we could with the resources we had.”

The magic number of signatures is 4,656, or roughly 15 percent of the total number of registered voters in Joplin at the time of the last city election, which was in April.

Maddy said about four or five ardent volunteers since September 2007 collected the bulk of the signatures, frequently standing outside local businesses and at the Joplin Public Library.

As the leader of the Sensible Joplin group behind the decriminalization initiative, Maddy said Thursday’s delivery represented the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of effort.

“We have a good number of signatures, and we’ve done a lot of hard work,” said Maddy, who also serves as president of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

One of the biggest challenges for the group was overcoming some supporters’ concern about publicly identifying themselves on a marijuana-related petition.

“People think it’s a list,” he said, referring to some complaints from would-be signers who were afraid their names would be available to police or the general public. “This isn’t China; this is the United States, and we have the right to do this.”

City Clerk Barbara Hogelin said she is required by the city’s charter to complete the verification procedure within 20 days.

“I’m going to be working day and night on this,” she said.

The city clerk’s office is required to verify that the signatures represent actual registered voters who live in Joplin.

If the clerk finds the petitions carry an adequate number of signatures, residents would vote on a proposal that says adults arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, which is 35 grams or less, or for possession of marijuana paraphernalia would not be jailed or have to post bond. Those found guilty in municipal court would be subject to a $250 maximum fine.

If the city clerk determines the group did not produce the necessary number of signatures, Maddy and his organization would have an additional 10 days to obtain more signatures, followed by a five-day review period by the clerk’s office.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
TV LIsitngs

Vote Today!

Get Our Free Pod Cast!



Click Here!

32 buy 1 get 1 free offers


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

MUSICIANS NEEDED
MUSICIANS NEEDED to play in a weekly variety show. Call 417-673-0501...>MORE

NEW RESTAURANT OPENING
NEW RESTAURANT OPENING COCONUTS TROPICAL GRILL
Now accepting applications for all positions. Please apply in person
...>MORE

companions
to assist aging adults. Prefer older workers, but others considered. Hours 48 hour on and 48 hour off. CNA experience h...>MORE

FULL TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT
Full time dental assistant to float between clinics in Carthage, Neosho, and Anderson. Experience preferred, but will tr...>MORE

NEW RESTAURANT OPENING, COCONUTS TROPICAL GRILL
Now accepting applications for all positions. Please apply in person between
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
...>MORE

ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC
ASE Certified Mechanic. Apply at Russell Tire and Auto, 1501 E. 4th, Joplin. ...>MORE

ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC
ASE Certified Mechanic. Pay up to $20.50 per hour. Apply at Russell Tire and Auto, 1501 E. 4th, Joplin. ...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

LEXUS 1998 ES300
LEXUS, 1998 ES300, 120,000 miles, tan, loaded, terrific car, all records since new, $7,950. Please call (417)793-1620....>MORE

NISSAN 2003 X-TERRA XE
NISSAN, 2003 X-Terra XE, V6, 4x4, 70,000 miles, leather, tilt, cruise, CD, tow package, excellent condition, $11,500. 41...>MORE

BMW 2002 325I
BMW, 2002 325i, silver, black leather, good condition, 34 mpg, $8975
417-825-6118, 627-0242.
...>MORE

CHEVROLET 1991 TRICKED OUT
Z28 Camaro, too much to list. $12,000. 359-5619....>MORE

CHEVROLET 1998 ASTRO VAN
Chevrolet, 1998 Astro Van, industrial style roof rack, 89,000 miles. $2500 )438-6436...>MORE

PONTIAC 2002 GRAND AM GT
Pontiac, 2002 Grand Am GT, Ram Air, V6 automatic, loaded with all options, 50,000 actual miles. $5200. (417)623-2011...>MORE

CHRYSLER 2004 PACIFICA
CHRYSLER, 2004 Pacifica, light blue, 65,000 miles, 3rd row seat, power seats/locks/windows, lift gate, sunroof, front/re...>MORE

FORD 1995 MERCURY MARQUIS
Ford, 1995 Mercury Marquis, new inspection/battery, $1250. (417)782-7977...>MORE

DODGE 2006 DAKOTA QUAD CAB
DODGE, 2006 Dakota, quad cab, SLT, 8000 actual miles, automatic, loaded with options. $9100. (417)623-2011...>MORE

1993 CHEVROLET 2 TON TRUCK
1993 Chevrolet, 2 ton truck, steel flat bed, twin dump cylinders, 18’ bed, 5 speed/2 speed rear end, 454 Chevrolet gas, ...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

NICE 2BR
new central heat/air, newly decorated, gar with opener, $69,000. 330 S. McConnell. (417)623-4058, 850-5695....>MORE

TABLE ROCK LAKE, BY OWNER
Table Rock Lake, by owner, 4 BR cabin with appliances, including stack washer and dryer, 1/4 interest in boat dock with ...>MORE

2 BR CARTERVILLE
2 BR, Carterville, $395/$175. 417-673-0303, 850-6154....>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

BROYHILL FLORAL SOFA
Broyhill floral sofa, pastel colors, $250; glass top coffee table, 2 end tables, $150/set, maple dining table/4 padded c...>MORE

EBAY WAREHOUSE SALE
Huge Ebay Inventory Sale Carthage 2025 S Garrison (formerly Curves) Friday/Saturday 9-6 p.m. Sunday 10-4 pm Thousands It...>MORE

CUSTOM OAK LUMBER
CUSTOM oak lumber, sawing for trailer floors, barns, corrals, etc also cedar lumber. (417)437-4448....>MORE

INSIDE GARAGE SALE
Wednesday-Saturday. 74”x36” picture, has ornate frame; fencing sabers with coat of arms and 2 other ones; small 7 drawer...>MORE

GE 19 CU. FT. REFRIGERATOR
GE 19 cu. ft. white refrigerator for sale, $175; Roper white matching washer/dryer, set $265, all are in clean good work...>MORE

16 KILOWATT GENERATOR
16 KILOWATT standby by automatic generator/transfer switch; 2 refrigerators; washer/dryer; stove/range; bedroom suites; ...>MORE

GREAT GIFTS
FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
7” ladies 14 karat gold tennis bracelet
with 4 diamonds can add more diamonds/stones, $1,20
...>MORE

TV SONY 26"
TV Sony 26" in oak cabinet $75; black TV Stand with glass doors $25; antique wicker rocker $75; antique floor lamp $25; ...>MORE

FLEETWOOD 1992 CORONADO
34’ Class A, Ford 460 engine, good condition, 2 air conditioner, 3 way refrigerator, microwave, TV, $12,000. (417)359-56...>MORE

HONDA 250 4 WHEELER
and 40” cut riding mower combo, $300/all. (620)856-2461....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

Find A Home Find A Car