smoking and usage

superjoint · #1 (**permalink**) 11-14-2004, 09:23 PM

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.htm

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)
Author: Greg Jonsson Of the Post-Dispatch
Published: November 13, 2004
Copyright: 2004 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Website: http://www.stltoday.com/
Contact: letters@post-dispatch.com

Related Articles & Web Site: Missouri NORML
http://www.gstlnorml.org/

NaughtyDread · #2 (**permalink**) 11-15-2004, 03:37 AM

hey its a start, bout time some folks, and especially in middle "conservative" america made a smart decision on decriminalization

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#1 (permalink) 11-14-2004, 09:23 PM
superjoint Grasscity Admin Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands Posts: 3,246 Blog Entries: 13	Voters Cut Marijuana Penalties 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.htm Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) Author: Greg Jonsson Of the Post-Dispatch Published: November 13, 2004 Copyright: 2004 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Website: http://www.stltoday.com/ Contact: letters@post-dispatch.com Related Articles & Web Site: Missouri NORML http://www.gstlnorml.org/

#2 (permalink) 11-15-2004, 03:37 AM
NaughtyDread Organic Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,852	hey its a start, bout time some folks, and especially in middle "conservative" america made a smart decision on decriminalization __________________ beware the fury of a patient man... the only thing a sleeper accomplishes is a dream 100% organic scrog

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