Pubdate: Sun, 07 Oct 2012 Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO) Copyright: 2012 The Springfield News-Leader Contact: http://getpublished.news-leader.com/Forms/LettersToEditor.php Website: http://www.news-leader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129 Author: Amos Bridges MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS CONSIDERING OPTIONS IN SPRINGFIELD Supporters of a controversial marijuana ordinance hope to overturn City Council's recent decision, but they won't do it by gathering signatures. Maranda Reynolds, of Springfield Cannabis Regulation, said the group has decided not to pursue a referendum petition to undo council's Sept. 24 repeal of the ordinance, which would have restricted the penalties that can be assessed for minor marijuana possession. "We were thinking about a referendum, but we decided it would be unwise because (City Council) could use the same move they did with the petition to kill it," Reynolds said. "We don't want to take the risk of doing all that work again only to have them go around it." Supporters of the ordinance gathered more than 2,100 signatures, forcing council either to adopt the law as written or send it to a vote. They and other critics have accused council members of subverting the initiative petition process by approving the marijuana law only to repeal it at the first opportunity. Apparently legal, the maneuver allowed council to avoid putting the proposed ordinance on the November ballot. The City Charter allows citizens up to 30 days to gather signatures for a referendum, which would allow voters a chance to overrule the council. Instead, Reynolds said, the group is working with the Show-Me Cannabis Coalition and other allies to raise money and research a possible lawsuit. "We're in the process of looking at our options," she said. "We don't want to proceed with litigation - that's not what we want to do - and we're still open for the council to work on some sort of compromise with us ... "That could involve sending it to the ballot, which they can still do voluntarily." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt