Pubdate: Tue, 19 Apr 2005
Source: Maneater, The (Columbia, MO Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Maneater
Contact:  http://www.themaneater.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1283
Author: Jim Rogers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARIJUANA ORDINANCE DEFENDED

The president of the MU chapter of the National Organization for the Reform 
of Marijuana Laws, a lobbying group that represents people who oppose 
marijuana prohibition, addressed the Columbia City Council Monday night, 
defending a marijuana ordinance voters passed in November.

"It's time for someone to send the right message to children and offer 
something other than mandatory minimums and more tax dollars wasted," MU 
NORML President Bailey Hirschburg told the City Council on Monday night. 
"Proposition 2 did just that."

Hirschburg's address was a response to the Columbia Police Officers 
Association's attempt to have the marijuana-related ordinance repealed. The 
CPOA is trying to collect 2,900 signatures for a summertime ballot to 
repeal the ordinance.

The smart sentencing ordinance, which was passed in November by 61 percent 
of voters, makes misdemeanor possession of marijuana punishable by a $250 
fine instead of a $1,000 fine and possible jail time. The ordinance also 
refers cases to municipal court instead of state court.

Columbia police officers have expressed reservations about the ordinance.

In a February letter to city officials, CPOA President Sterling Infield 
asked for help "to squash this tainted ordinance" and linked marijuana to 
the fatal shooting of Columbia police officer Molly Bowden in January. 
Police found marijuana in the vehicle and home of Bowden's shooter, 
Columbia resident Richard Evans, who also had several misdemeanor marijuana 
convictions.

Columbia Police Chief Randy Boehm said he was concerned about the effects 
of the ordinance. Under the old law, repeat offenders could be referred to 
state court. Under the new ordinance, neither first-time nor repeat 
offenders can have their cases referred to the state court.

"My main concern is we basically treat a first-time offender the same as a 
fifth-time offender," Boehm said.

Hirschburg responded to accusations that the ordinance eased restrictions 
on marijuana use by minors and drug dealers by noting that the bill 
explicitly refers to adults.

"The purpose of this bill is that people shouldn't use marijuana, but they 
shouldn't lose their job or education because of it," Hirschburg said.

Although Hirschburg said he disagreed with the CPOA's attempt to repeal the 
ordinance, he praised the law officers' enforcement of the ordinance.

"From Nov. 3 on, our police, our prosecutors and this council have 
respected the voters' decision," he said.

CPOA is not targeting a medical marijuana ordinance, which also passed in 
November, but Boehm said he has reservations about that ordinance.

"The definition of medical purpose and medical use is very broad," Boehm said.

Hirschburg is not alone in his concern about the CPOA's attempts to have 
the bill repealed.

Amanda Broz, a graduate student and former president of the MU chapter of 
NORML, said she is concerned about citizens possibly being pressured into 
signing the CPOA's petition because plain-clothes police officers are 
circulating the petition.

"I feel as though people may be intimidated into signing the petition," 
Broz said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom