Pubdate: Tue, 20 Dec 2011
Source: Durango Herald, The (CO)
Copyright: 2011 The Durango Herald
Contact: http://durangoherald.com/write_the_editor/
Website: http://durangoherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/866
Author: Jim Haug, Herald Staff Writer 

CITY FIXES TYPO IN POT-POSSESSION RULE

No dope. A typographical error has made it impossible for the local
municipal court to rule on cases of possession of an ounce or less of
marijuana since 2009.

Instead, these cases have been going to county court, said David
Smith, the city's attorney. The city has been losing some "minimal"
revenue because of the small fines and court fees associated with
minor marijuana possession.

By state law, municipal court is supposed to be responsible for minor
marijuana possession, but an error occurred when the city revised its
ordinances in 2009 to allow for medical marijuana clinics.

Instead of making it unlawful to possess an ounce or less of
marijuana, it just prohibited the possession of more than an ounce of
marijuana.

The City Council on Tuesday took preliminary steps to correct the
mistake, scheduling a public hearing for Jan. 3 to make minor
possessions illegal again for anyone other than a state-certified
marijuana patient or a medical marijuana caregiver.

In other marijuana news, council members took steps to further revise
ordinances on marijuana medical clinics, providing for new fees
ranging from $75 to $500 on late renewal applications, modifications
of premise applications and manager registrations.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.