The Supreme Court Rules U.S. Laws Supersede City and State Ordinances Columbia's marijuana ordinances could come under fire from the federal government because of Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on medical marijuana. In the case Gonzales v. Raich, the court ruled in a 6-3 decision that federal laws prohibiting the use of marijuana under any circumstance override laws that states or cities may have passed. "This decision gives the stamp of approval that the federal government trumps the states on (medical marijuana)," said Rick Hardy, MU political science professor and constitutional law expert. [continues 552 words]
Columbia's pot law has reduced the need to hire a lawyer in some cases. Marijuana use brings up issues of freedom and justice, but for criminal-defense attorneys, marijuana users and offenders are part of their business - or recent lack of business. Several criminal-defense attorneys in Columbia said there has been a decrease in business since the passage of the local marijuana ordinance law in November. The city prosecutor office's deferral program does not require the offender to get a lawyer. That means the 387 people who have been busted with 35 grams or less of marijuana in the past six months did not hire an attorney. Instead, they handled their charge on their own. [continues 588 words]
A Compromise Aims At Prosecuting Repeat And Dual Offenders Although the marijuana ordinance has sparked bitter debate between the police who want to see it repealed and the voters who passed it, the two sides may soon reach a compromise on the issue. Proposition 2, which passed in November's election, has come under attack by prosecutors and police officers because it allows offenders in possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana not to be prosecuted. However, attorneys and police officers said a compromise to the ordinance has been in the works for the last couple of weeks to limit the law under certain circumstances. [continues 452 words]
