Thu, Nov 26 2009
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Initiative petition aims to decriminalize marijuana “It sounds like it would be cheaper for the system and lessen the strain on the courts,” he contends. “It’s not morally right, but I don’t think it should be a criminal offense. Lying is not morally right, but I would not put someone in jail for it.”
By the numbers In order to get the measure on the November 2008 ballot, organization members and volunteers will have to collect valid signatures of Joplin voters equal to 15 percent of the number of registered voters in the City of Joplin as of the April 2008 general municipal election. City Clerk Barbara Hogelin estimated the group will need close to 5,000 valid signatures of Joplin registered voters based on past registration numbers. 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.” “Our home-rule charter gives us the right and that is why Missouri is such a cool state to live in. It allows cities to try out new laws that may not be ready for the state level or that just give individual citizens a voice in their own city.” Marijuana possession arrest numbers provided by the Joplin Police Department shows that the average age of those arrested for possession during July 2006 and July 2007 was 26.5 years old, overwhelmingly male and predominately white. ‘A radical departure’ Joplin City Attorney Brian Head said that he can’t remember when the last initiative petition was placed on a Joplin ballot, but he said, he thinks it’s been more than a decade ago. He said he could remember referendums in the city, but nothing quite like this. “Were not going to throw up any road blocks for them, but we are not going to help pave the way either,” he said. “We will be as objective in the process as possible.” He said the city cannot spend city funds to either support or oppose the measure, but said that council members can take a stand on the issue if they want. As the city attorney, Head is charged with the prosecution of marijuana and paraphernalia possession cases. He said that there would be many legal questions to be answered before the new ordinance could be adopted. “It would be an awful radical departure for a conservative community like ours,” he said. “But again,” he added, “if the citizens choose that, we would be held to their determination as the charter and the law provides.” 
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