cannabisnews.com: Pot Law Compromise Would Exempt Repeat Offenders





Pot Law Compromise Would Exempt Repeat Offenders
Posted by CN Staff on November 09, 2005 at 13:43:24 PT
By Alan Scher Zagier, Associated Press
Source: Associated Press 
Columbia, Mo. - A compromise proposal to change a voter-approved marijuana possession law would prevent certain repeat drug offenders and those convicted of other crimes from taking advantage of the new law's lenient sentencing guidelines.An ordinance passed by Columbia voters in November 2004 requires police to treat those possessing up to 35 grams, or 1 1/4 ounces, of marijuana as low-level misdemeanor offenders. Pot owners now avoid arrest and only face municipal court fines of no more than $250 - a punishment essentially equal to that associated with a speeding ticket.
A related measure that allows seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana within the city limits was approved on the same ballot by nearly 70 percent of Columbia voters.Earlier this year, Columbia police officers started a petition drive to overturn the new drug possession law, which was approved by nearly 62 percent of city voters. In response, the law's chief supporter met quietly with the officers' representative, Boone County prosecutor Kevin Crane, to work out a deal.Both Crane and civil rights attorney Dan Viets, who represents the Columbia Alliance for Patients and Education, have previously declined to discuss the particulars of the proposed compromise until it is formally presented to the Columbia City Council.But a Sept. 2 letter from Viets to Mayor Darwin Hindman, obtained by The Associated Press under the state's open records law, outlines four proposed exemptions to the new law:_ those found guilty of a felony in the preceding 10 years;_ anyone found guilty in state court of a Class A misdemeanor, other than marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession, in the previous five years;_ anyone found guilty in state or municipal court of misdemeanor marijuana possession two or more times within the previous five years;_ anyone arrested on misdemeanor marijuana charges who is also held on suspicion of a felony or misdemeanor offense chargeable only under state law.Crane said Wednesday the proposed compromise addresses the biggest concern by Columbia police: Hardened criminals will exploit a law intended to cut nonviolent, first-time offenders a break."It's essentially recognizing that there should not be a one-size-fits-all standard for offenders," he said. "If you have someone with a significant criminal history, they should not receive the same benefits as someone without a significant criminal history."The proposed revision would also eliminate a reference to deferred prosecution and change a description of the police force's adherence as "the lowest priority" to "among the lower priorities."The reference to deferred prosecution is unnecessary, said Viets, because local prosecutors have always had that authority and continue to do so.Calling the proposal "the result of a long and painstaking process of negotiation," Viets asked Hindman to "actively discourage" any City Council members from proposing more changes."Any changes beyond the ones which both parties have agreed to will not be supported by either side," Viets wrote.Council members contacted Wednesday said they want to wait until a proposal is submitted before weighing in. Viets said he expects the prepackaged compromise by the former opponents will be supported by elected leaders."I hope that will carry enough weight," he said.Complete Title: Columbia Pot Law Compromise Would Exempt Repeat OffendersSource: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Alan Scher Zagier, Associated PressPublished: Wednesday, November 09, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Missouri NORMLhttp://www.gstlnorml.org/Police Group Petitions Against Pot Ordinancehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20362.shtmlPolice Launch Petition Drive Against Pot Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20349.shtmlPolice Group Seeks To Alter City’s Pot Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20295.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by siege on November 10, 2005 at 11:30:42 PT
Hardened criminals
Hardened criminals will exploit a law: The biggest criminals are Columbia police officers and Columbia City Council.
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Comment #4 posted by Celaya on November 10, 2005 at 05:40:49 PT
Bad Move
Sacrificing "repeat offenders" is total capitulation. This should be the one sacred point of any reform success. The essence of our argument is marijuana is LESS harmful than alcohol, and so, should AT LEAST carry no more restrictions than alcohol does. Once you concede no protection for person's caught more than once, you've tacitly agreed marijuana possession is a crime and that you're only asking for protection for those who REPENT from their evil ways after being GIVEN one chance.Sorry, but these reformers buckled under the pressure from police and blew it. A great shame that I hope is not repeated.
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Comment #3 posted by runderwo on November 09, 2005 at 17:52:43 PT
hardened criminals
So, hardened criminals include people previously found guilty of marijuana possession? Please.
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Comment #2 posted by MikeC on November 09, 2005 at 17:32:51 PT
I agree..
Every word you said is 100% on the money. The people spoke...you don't give back what you've spent decades trying to achieve. I too would have told them they were trespassing!
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on November 09, 2005 at 17:08:29 PT
Viets
I don't understand why he's even trying to negotiate a compromise with the folks who have no respect for the will of the voters.Whatever happenned to the door to door petition the Columbia Police were attempting to strong-arm and intimidate folks into signing? If I lived in Columbia and they came to my door I would've told them to get the hell off my property! 
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