cannabisnews.com: Police Launch Petition Drive Against Pot Law 










  Police Launch Petition Drive Against Pot Law 

Posted by CN Staff on March 11, 2005 at 12:40:39 PT
By Mike Wells of the Tribune’s Staff  
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune 

Blustery winds outside the Boone County Courthouse carried harsh words today against the city’s new marijuana ordinance by those who say it reduces possession of a small amount of the drug to "less than a parking ticket." Sterling Infield, president of the Columbia Police Officers Association, or CPOA, led a news conference announcing a petition drive to reverse the ordinance passed in November. City voters also approved a separate law decriminalizing marijuana prescribed for medical purposes, which CPOA does not oppose.
Officers plan to go door-to-door in neighborhoods to gather signatures, which will be presented to the Columbia City Council. "If that doesn’t work," Infield said, "we’ll take the issue back to the ballot." Proponents needed 2,275 signatures for each of the marijuana measures to place them on the ballot.Under the ordinance, possession of less than 1¼ ounces of marijuana earns a ticket and subjects the offender to a fine of up to $250. The offender is not arrested, and a criminal record is not created. The wording suggests suspending a fine for community service or counseling and prohibits the city prosecutor from referring the case to another prosecutor or agency unless it’s committed with a felony. The election results caught CPOA by surprise, Infield said. "We were asleep," he said. In a letter last month, Infield asked city leaders for help. "They don’t want to take a stance at this time as far as what we’re doing," he said.The letter garnered criticism for referencing the death of Officer Molly Bowden and the wounding of Officer Curtis Brown by a gunman with a record of misdemeanor marijuana possession.Infield said CPOA wasn’t putting its fight on the backs of officers shot in January by Rick Evans. "At the same time, he had drugs in his car - the same drugs we’re facing today," he said.CPOA fears that people on parole for violent crimes would be treated like first-time offenders, he said.Department of Corrections rules for parolees, however, consider possession of any amount of illegal drugs a violation of parole and subject offenders to revocation. A criminal charge or conviction isn’t required. However, it isn’t clear how the Board of Probation and Parole would learn about a parolee’s marijuana ticket in Columbia, corrections spokesman John Fougere said. Eleanor Wickersham of the League of Women Voters said it’s wrong for Infield’s group to use parolees as a scare tactic. "He’s trying to associate it with rape and murder," she said.Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)Author:  Mike Wells of the Tribune’s Staff Published: Friday, March 11, 2005Copyright: 2005 Columbia Daily TribuneContact: editor tribmail.comWebsite: http://www.columbiatribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Missouri NORMLhttp://www.gstlnorml.org/ Police Group Seeks To Alter City’s Pot Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20295.shtmlBill Just Smoke, Lawmakers Say http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20145.shtmlSenator Seeks To Penalize City for Marijuana Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20140.shtml

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Comment #28 posted by The GCW on March 13, 2005 at 07:57:16 PT
Police need to be controled like the plague.
Police want this; police want that... they make the laws and if you change them they'll pull the rug. If you don't like the laws, so what.How DARE police teaching lies to My children.(the following LTE is in the actual newspaper but they do not publish LTE's on their website.)Dear Editor of The Palatka Daily News, Nearly every North American study including government studies indicate even the revamped model of DARE (PCSO studies DARE program: Hardy's Slot Unlikely To Be Used Elsewhere, Mar. 2, 2005), is a failure and may be doing more harm than good. DARE teaches lies about cannabis claiming medical use of cannabis is a hoax and DARE supports caging adult humans for using cannabis. It is commendable to help youth resist drugs, alcohol, cannabis, coffee and cigarettes until they are older and responsible for their choices, but caging responsible adult cannabis users is not the correct way to do it. As an obedient Christian I resist government teaching My children the plant cannabis is evil when We are taught God created all the seed bearing plants saying they are all good on literally the very 1st page of the Bible. Money used for DARE should be applied toward programs that work. Truthfully, (one of the problems with police is that they have unions. Police must be prohibited from having unions. Exposing the police union, is part of Our job.)
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on March 12, 2005 at 22:48:49 PT
Thanks again, Afterburner
I just printed your good advice...in a big font and bold. One copy is taped to the refrigerator and the other is taped right above my monitor.
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on March 12, 2005 at 22:39:44 PT
Thanks, Afterburner
I appreciate, so much, that you care and I'm trying. Thank you.I think I'll print your post and tack it the fridge and the computer.
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Comment #25 posted by afterburner on March 12, 2005 at 22:18:34 PT
Hope, Just Say No.
No Doubt.No Fear.No Worries.No Problem.Pray continually.
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on March 12, 2005 at 20:42:03 PT
The world is full of mean, hateful people.
I pray that the power of Love protects us all...not just reformers and police ...but all...as many as possible. Love has been around for a long time. Hippies didn't invent it. Jesus was a great purveyor of love. Of course, He was killed because of it. I thought we could change things with reason and logic and understanding. When I look at other boards...like the one in Missouri...and I see people fling back our reasoning in our faces and mock us and call us names, I feel afraid of them. There is something very unnatural, or maybe not, about them. They are like hollow things only filled with hatred. I hope the prohibitionists don't crucify us. There only need have ever been but one martyr..."once and for all".May peace be declared soon before any more deaths that really are because of prohibition, like the Bowers'tragedy and so many more, happen.It's not that easy to find the cure for cancer and violence and hatred. Ending prohibition is comparably easier. A small thing. It won't save the world. It won't bring mankind together in peace or love. But the sooner it ends, the more innocent, and maybe not so innocent, lives will surely be saved. As GCW said, "Contempt is rising." I keep thinking about Jesus, Ghandi, Martin Luther King and other peaceful people who were murdered because they were doing something right. It worries me, very much. "Worry about nothing...Pray about everything." I'm trying.
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on March 12, 2005 at 17:52:45 PT
The GCW...Missery
We are of one mind.
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Comment #22 posted by The GCW on March 12, 2005 at 06:20:31 PT
I'm from Missery
I left and hardly want to go back to even visit family that I love. I don't want to even travel east when I travel.Missery has some very questionable and backwards thinking.Racist.Humidity.Cops that think they must cage humans for using what Christ God Our Father says is good on the 1st page of the Bible. 
It is cops like these that make it hard to feel sorry for those 4 in Canada.I'm sure I'm not alone.Contempt is rising.Don't make any moves with out 1st praying to that "spirit of truth" that John teaches about in John 14-16 & 1 John.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=14&version=49http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=69&chapter=1&version=49We who fight peacefuly with prayer and the spirit of truth will come out ahead of those who can not have access to the spirit of truth because they refuse to love one another.To get employment, police must vow to support mans laws over the law of Christ God Our Father, to love one another and it makes the spirit of truth unaccessable. They just give it away for mammon.As difficult as it is, when We pray, We must pray for those ignorant cops.The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #21 posted by mayan on March 12, 2005 at 06:05:25 PT
Lopsided Debate
I was checking out some of the debates on the Columbia Police forums and it was rather lopsided...in our favor, of course! The prohibitionists just have no argument at all! It's really pathetic. Where do these people come from?
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Comment #20 posted by Sukoi on March 12, 2005 at 04:23:14 PT
siege
You don't have to register nor do you need a password, just put whatever you want in the "Unregistered" field and press on!
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Comment #19 posted by rchandar on March 12, 2005 at 00:16:49 PT:
John Tyler
excuse me--They DO make the laws. I feel no, none sympathy for them. How many lives have been shattered, how many fits of crying have been the result of them "enforcing the law"? How many more fathers need to be separated from their children, how many innocent kids need to be separated from their parents, because they "have to" follow the law? Those d #kheads just have no conscience. They carry guns, get cushy 60k jobs, just because they're big d #ks who "take orders."F $#K 'em!!! TO THE END!!!--rchandar
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Comment #18 posted by rchandar on March 12, 2005 at 00:12:14 PT:
global_warming
global warming--Those Missouri backwater cops, judges, Republicans are f %$king bastards. They're worse than any law people I've ever encountered;I got sentenced by them and they made me feel like I'd totally ruined my life, when I was fine. Outside Cape Girardeau--Rush Limbaugh's hometown, and I got sentenced by a guy who worked at his law firm--there's a big plot of land with 44,000 fake crosses erected--one for each abortion performed (I forget if it was a day or a month).F %king racist, backward motherf %$kers. I don't usually use expletives like that, but I sure feel Missouri f #$king s #ks d $k, and I'm glad I'll never go there. Gotta be the worst armpit of this country.--rchandar
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Comment #17 posted by global_warming on March 11, 2005 at 19:23:14 PT

link
Let us stand for freedom and truth.
gw
http://www.columbiapolice.org/forum/showthread.php?s=5893eaa0f69bbb9648b397d7fcd
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Comment #16 posted by global_warming on March 11, 2005 at 19:17:28 PT

Posted on this forum
 Important QuestionYou folks in Missouri, are you aware that Jesus was triad, convicted and executed on much the same crap that I am hearing on this forum.May God have pity, on your everlasting, and blind souls.gw
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on March 11, 2005 at 19:15:06 PT

Just a Comment
I looked at the forum but it didn't make sense to me. That is one of the reasons I don't post comments on any other forums. I do post from time to time on a Neil Young Fan Club Board but I barely do that much these days because he isn't touring right now. 
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Comment #14 posted by siege on March 11, 2005 at 19:07:23 PT

They ask for in put 
and this is what we get from them.Welcome to the Columbia Police Officers Association Bulletin BoardSorry. Registration has been disabled by the administrator.
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Comment #13 posted by AgaetisByrjun on March 11, 2005 at 18:44:15 PT

Clarification
My subject below should read "the CPOA MESSAGE BOARD", because (as far as I know) that poster has nothing at all to do with the police department. At least, I hope not.
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Comment #12 posted by AgaetisByrjun on March 11, 2005 at 18:43:40 PT

The wit and wisdom of the CPOA
Actual quotes from that message board..."it's quite obvious that people who smoke maijuana are crimminals who 's only goal in life is to make police officers jobs more difficult, i applaud the police departments o decision to try to change the law that a mindless uncaring majority voted for and passed. there is a confirmed connection between al qeida and maijuana useage so people who smoke pot are directly responsible for 911.""pot is really bad and people who smoke it should be put to death!"
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Comment #11 posted by mayan on March 11, 2005 at 18:05:19 PT

Sour Grapes
Officers plan to go door-to-door in neighborhoods to gather signatures, which will be presented to the Columbia City Council. "If that doesn’t work," Infield said, "we’ll take the issue back to the ballot."Great! This ought to go over like the proverbial "turd in the punch-bowl". The true colors of the CPOA are shining through as they have absolutely no respect for the will of the citizenry. What an insult to the voters of Columbia,Missouri! The people have already spoken and will certainly hold contempt for these arrogant thugs.THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Join in Spreading the News on 9/11:
http://www.wanttoknow.info/9-11Operation Northwoods - U.S. Military Wanted to Provoke War With Cuba:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92662&page=1THE VIDEO THAT PROVES 9/11 WAS NOT A SURPRISE:
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/9-11secretservice.htmlHijack 'suspects' alive and well:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1559151.stm9/11 Facts Checklist: 
http://pages.infinit.net/fmgoyeau/911c04.html9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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Comment #10 posted by Taylor121 on March 11, 2005 at 17:57:38 PT

I read a few arguments on that forum
"http://www.columbiapolice.org/forum/"I figured it's under control, of course some of the people or one of you may want to throw up some studies against the gateway drug and show how marijuana is less addictive/less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.I don't want to feel like an outsider invading the forum so I didn't post, but if one of you feel compelled enough go for it. I'm busy arguing on Texas newsgroups for medical marijuana. There is alot of hostility towards it. 
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/austin.general
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Comment #9 posted by John Tyler on March 11, 2005 at 17:43:13 PT

Cops don't make the laws
This is really strange. The cops have always said, "We don't make the laws, we just enforce them." Now it seems they want to make the laws too. This doen't pass the smell test. I'm sure what the cops are trying to do is illegal in some way. 
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Comment #8 posted by global_warming on March 11, 2005 at 16:30:27 PT

Show Me
I hope them folks in Missouri are ready for this, this showdown, it is "we the people" against them damn revenuers, them fancy pants and stuffed shirts in DC who have their hand out for some more money or taxes or some other regulation.People, gather your children and hold them close, there is a watchful eye that seeks to balance their budgets, and like those old testaments and scriptures, that speak of a census and the first born, and of efforts to hide, to protect, these same old folks are still here, and they are hungry, by the Grace of God, may we be spared.In this place and time, we stand upon the bloodied graves of the men and women who have stood up and died for this "freedom" all the wars and revolutions, have given us a chance to witness and behold what we can embrace and carry further into the future and back to God.Violence begets violence, and kindness begets the fruits of this world.The Son of Man, is the true King of our world,Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him; Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests Mat 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. Missouri, who is thy master, and who do you serve?Remember-Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. gw in the wilderness
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Comment #7 posted by AlvinCool on March 11, 2005 at 15:53:29 PT

Door to Door?
I guess they realize it's not good, for their point of view, if people are allowed to make up their mind in a voting booth after reading online material that presents facts concerning marijuana and not propaganda. Actually isn't that a win for us?The funny thing is it will backfire and make the problem even worse for them than it is now. How do you think those people, that are strong armed to sign the petition, will vote the second time around? I think they will resent a police officer leaning on them insisting that the only view is the one they represent.And how is someone asleep at the wheel to allow a subject to be voted on? Wait did we somehow develop a ray or something that changes peoples minds to what we want? Wait we did. Gads we have developed something that will allow a ray of sunshine to drive away the lies and myth surrounding cannabis! It's called "the truth" and it will set us free.
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Comment #6 posted by Sukoi on March 11, 2005 at 14:01:47 PT

Columbia Police Officers Association 
Look here:Columbia Police Officers Association Bulletin Boardhttp://www.columbiapolice.org/forum/Its actually been kind of interesting!
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Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on March 11, 2005 at 13:52:08 PT:

'Knock and talk' of a different kind
In the original 'knock and talk', the intent is to entrap the subject by engaging in folksy banter in order to lessen the subject's fears, and possibly maneuver the subject saying something incriminating, or into granting unwarranted entrance into the home of the subject. The subject is then unwittingly voiding his 4th Amendment rights, and the cops can then use this opportunity to conduct a search if they find something incriminating.Needless to say, if the police show up at your door, they are not there to play Welcome Wagon. They are there on business, and their business may cause you no end of misery. Politely but firmly inform them that you do not wish to speak to them [and their hidden tape recorders], and close the door. You are under no obligation to speak to them without a warrant being shown to you. Now, also needless to say, this little bit of politicking on their part involves no small degree of intimidation of the homeowner or renter; this latest bit about them going 'door to door' will almost certainly entail their wearing their uniforms. A sure mark of attempting to intimidate the homeowner into signing whatever petition they hope to collect signatures for...and get the 'nice policeman' off their front porch and out of their lives as soon as possible. And of course, you can expect the usual kind of junior high level psych manipulation to be involved as well: "You don't want to sign our petition? What are you? Only someone who supports criminals could be against it, blah, blah, blah."(Never mind that it's also - no surprise here because it's happened so often - a violation of the Hatch Act of civil servants using government resources in an official manner to campaign for a cause in which they would politically and monetarily benefit. They no doubt figure since the Feds in the form of Barry McCaffrey and Johnny Pee have done so and gotten away with it, why can't they?)I sincerely hope the ACLU is alerted on this one; this stinks so bad it needs to be blasted, burned and buried, and fast.

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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on March 11, 2005 at 13:37:13 PT

double or nothing
It should be double or nothing. The voters already voted for decrim.If the police want another ballot initiative, it should go full legalization if they fail.
Do we have a deal?
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on March 11, 2005 at 13:32:47 PT

it a beautiful thing
The LEO's are now petitioning? Excellent! I hope they get it back to the ballot to lose again. But wait, back in 1964 a policeman was gunned down by a man who had once been caught with his sister-in-law's rolling papers in the car that he borrowed - on my god! Round up all the potheads!  Hire some boot jack-booted thugs!Brought to you by Budweiser, King of Beers!
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Comment #2 posted by Taylor121 on March 11, 2005 at 13:04:53 PT

Out of the Job
"Officers plan to go door-to-door in neighborhoods to gather signatures, "So now that the cops aren't spending all their time bookins marijuana offenders, they are going door to door?Since when do we pay our law enforcement to be political activists? The majority of cops in my experience have sickened me, and this article does not help their reputation. Going door to door? C'MONIs anyone else pissed?
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 11, 2005 at 12:42:20 PT

What Happened To Terrorism?
I guess the police have lots of time on their hands. Everyone must be safe now. 
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