cannabisnews.com: Police Adjust Pot Policy Before Election 





Police Adjust Pot Policy Before Election 
Posted by CN Staff on March 25, 2003 at 17:36:40 PT
By Justin Willett of the Tribune’s Staff 
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune 
Columbia police officials have altered their policy for handling misdemeanor marijuana possession cases to fix what Police Chief Randy Boehm called a "lack of consistency" that was discovered during a recent audit of cases.Boehm said officers have been told to refer marijuana possession cases involving 35 grams or less to municipal court instead of state court, except in certain circumstances.
He said that Proposition 1, which would decriminalize marijuana possession and legalize possession for seriously ill citizens, caused his department to take a closer look at a 1999 policy established by his predecessor, Norm Botsford. Columbia voters will decide whether to approve the proposition on April 8. Boehm said that recently he had officers look at some specific possession cases to see how they were being handled."There were times when we probably could have been more consistent," he said. "I did sense there could be some lack of consistency. It just talked about a small amount of marijuana, and it didn’t give a specific amount."The 1999 agreement was reached after then-Chief Botsford came under fire for instituting a more aggressive philosophy toward enforcement of marijuana laws.Before Botsford was hired in 1997, police sent many misdemeanor cases through city court, following a 1985 city ordinance that gave police the option of writing a summons for misdemeanor cases.When Botsford was hired in 1997, however, he began directing the vast majority of cases to state court.To address the controversy, city administrators and law enforcement officials in 1999 announced a new policy where those arrested with a "small amount" of marijuana - about 5 grams, or about two joints, they said - would be referred to city court.Boehm said the policy change took effect about 30 to 45 days ago. Columbia police Capt. Zim Schwartze said the clarified policy says that anyone found in possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana would have their case sent to city court, unless:* They have a prior drug arrest.* They face state charges for other infractions committed while possessing marijuana.* They were arrested during the serving of a search warrant.Proposition 1 would allow police to send cases to state court when the accused is also charged with a felony, but Boehm said that’s not enough discretion.Boehm estimated that between 50 and 75 percent of misdemeanor cases are already sent to city court.In 2002, there were 64 cases of felony marijuana possession and 539 misdemeanor cases. In 2001, there were 50 felony cases and 489 misdemeanor cases. In 2000, there were 51 felony cases and 376 misdemeanor cases.Municipal Court Clerk Shara Meyer said city court saw 245 cases involving misdemeanor marijuana possession or drug paraphernalia possession from January through November last year. In 2001, city court saw 242 cases and in 2000, 202 cases.Columbia attorney Dan Viets said he met with Boehm on Thursday to discuss the ordinance and the chief never mentioned the policy change."I think that’s very interesting," Viets said. "I presume that their intention is to try to show that they are addressing the issues that the ordinance is intending to address. It doesn’t by any means address all the issues we’re concerned about."Viets said the policy could change again after the election. Anthony Johnson, the MU law student who drafted Proposition 1, said he’s glad to hear about the policy change because he thinks it will make it easier for people to support Proposition 1.Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)Author: Justin Willett of the Tribune’s Staff Published: Monday, March 24, 2003Copyright: 2003 Columbia Daily TribuneContact: editor tribmail.comWebsite: http://www.showmenews.com/Related Articles:Sentencing Initiative a Step Forward on Pot Policy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15780.shtmlVoters Should Reject Misguided Marijuana Move http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15777.shtmlBallot’s Marijuana Initiative Deserves Attentionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15735.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by PonziScheme on March 26, 2003 at 08:04:40 PT
Some Policy
To address the controversy, city administrators and law enforcement officials in 1999 announced a new policy where those arrested with a "small amount" of marijuana - about 5 grams, or about two joints, they said - would be referred to city court.Boehm said the policy change took effect about 30 to 45 days ago. It only took the cops 4 years to abide by their own policy!! 
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on March 26, 2003 at 05:45:33 PT
Wolf
in wolf's clothing.It is very important for police to continue this discredited policy of caging humans for using a plant.Why do 80% of police not get it, while 80% of the general population does?
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