cannabisnews.com: Voters Cut Marijuana Penalties Voters Cut Marijuana Penalties Posted by CN Staff on November 13, 2004 at 15:25:11 PT By Greg Jonsson Of the Post-Dispatch Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Columbia, Mo. -- It ain't Amsterdam, and it's still got nothing on Berkeley. But when voters in Columbia passed two propositions decriminalizing marijuana, they made this mid-Missouri college town about the closest thing the Midwest has to offer. Decriminalization means if you're caught in the city with a small amount of marijuana, "you don't get arrested, you don't go to jail, and you don't get a record," according to Dan Viets, a Columbia defense attorney who helped spearhead the effort to pass the propositions. He's also defended clients against marijuana charges here for 18 years. "These people don't deserve to be treated like criminals," Viets said. "They aren't a threat to society." The number of voters who agreed on Nov. 2 startled supporters and foes alike. Almost 70 percent of voters backed Proposition 1, which makes it legal for seriously ill patients to possess and use marijuana if they have a doctor's permission. More than 60 percent voted for Proposition 2, which requires arrests for possession of 35 grams or less of pot be handled in municipal court, not state court where consequences are more severe. In municipal court, defendants will face smaller fines and no jail time. First-time offenders could have their prosecution deferred and charges dropped if they stay out of trouble. Municipal court also means students busted on misdemeanor charges in the city would not lose their financial aid under the Higher Education Act, which strips funds from recipients with marijuana convictions in higher courts. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/cut.htmSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)Author: Greg Jonsson Of the Post-DispatchPublished: November 13, 2004Copyright: 2004 St. Louis Post-DispatchWebsite: http://www.stltoday.com/Contact: letters post-dispatch.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Missouri NORMLhttp://www.gstlnorml.org/Chief Says Pot Law Tough To Interprethttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19798.shtmlColumbia Changes How MJ Cases are Handledhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19792.shtmlOfficials Mull Effect of New Pot Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19779.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by afterburner on November 14, 2004 at 12:05:21 PT The GCW Wow! That's good news, considering that not long ago the CMA was recommending that doctors not participate in Health Canada's MMAR program for medical cannabis Exemptees. A turnaround, could GW Pharmaceuticals have anything to do with this change of heart, change of action? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by The GCW on November 14, 2004 at 07:20:11 PT Dr's. say, stop the cagings. Canada: Physicians Call For Decriminalization http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1614/a03.html?186722 [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by afterburner on November 14, 2004 at 06:17:25 PT What's Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander "law enforcement officials say the laws ... take decision-making authority away from police and prosecutors."Funny, weren't these the same groups that favored mandatory minimums to take decision-making authority away from "activist" judges? I guess they don't like it when their own power is restricted. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on November 13, 2004 at 17:02:36 PT Low Priority? Yeah, Right! Opponents and law enforcement officials say the laws address problems that don't really exist and take decision-making authority away from police and prosecutors. For example, they say misdemeanor marijuana charges were already a low priority.If misdemeanor marijuana charges were already a low priority then why are the prohibitionists so upset? Pretty telling, eh?On an unrelated note, we are currently witnessing the demise of the mainstream media! Their failure to cover the massive vote fraud is the straw that will break the camel's back! Democracy breathed it's last breath and the presstitutes didn't cover the story!!! The internet reigns supreme! If you haven't already cancelled your newspaper and cable subscriptions then now is the time to do so. Besides, the truth is right here on the internet and now everyone knows it!Let's put the final nail in the coffin of the corporate media!Are Mainstream Media Ignored And Irrelevant? Amid Criticism Of Election Coverage, An Assessment Of The New Relationship Between Politician And Press: http://www.ctnow.com/features/lifestyle/hc-wherenow.artnov12%2C0%2C4475379%2Cprint.storyMass Media In 'Lock Down' Not To Cover Vote Fraud: http://rense.com/general59/ememd.htmAP Chief: Future Of News Online http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/12/tech/main655521.shtmlTAKE BACK THE MEDIA: http://www.tbtmradio.com/geeklog/public_html/index.php [ Post Comment ] Post Comment