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Published September 21, 2007 07:06 pm - Kelly Maddy, president of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, took a deep breath on Friday and started his fight. Initiative petition aims to decriminalize marijuana By Dave Woods
dwoods@joplinglobe.com Kelly Maddy, president of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, took a deep breath on Friday and started his fight. Joplin’s City Hall was chosen as the starting point of a year-long battle to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Joplin and the paraphernalia that’s used to smoke it. “We are here today to introduce an opportunity for the citizens of Joplin to enact a more sensible marijuana policy,” he announced. Maddy was flanked by Kris Krane, the executive director of national organization, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Ryan Denham, president of the Alliance for Drug Reform Policy in Arkansas. “Over 200 people were arrested in 2005 for marijuana in Joplin,” he said “This is a waste of police resources that could otherwise be allocated to 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.” The Sensible Sentencing Initiative, as proposed by Maddy and Joplin NORML, would, if endorsed by a majority of Joplin voters in November 2008, make possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia an administrative offense. The petition also makes clear that adults arrested for simple possession of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia would not be jailed or have to post bond. Those found guilty of the infraction in municipal court would be subject to a $250 maximum fine. 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 at sentencing. Possession cases are currently not referred to the county prosecutor unless the amount of marijuana possessed is 35 grams or more making it a felony offense, according to Cpl. Chuck Niess, the Joplin Police Department’s assistant public information officer. For R. Lewis Phillips, 69, of Joplin, the idea of decriminalizing marijuana is a non-issue. “No, not even ... no way would I support that,” said Phillips. “It’s (marijuana) a drug. I don’t approve of drugs at all. Marijuana, cocaine ... they are all the same. I don’t think medical marijuana is the answer either. Once you open that can of worms, there is no end to it,” he said. Phillips’ views on decriminalization were not shared by Travis Morgan. The 31-year-old Joplin resident said that he could see the possible benefit of the measure. 
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