Title:
Columbia's marijuana initiatives qualify for the ballot
Message:
Yesterday, July 8, the Columbia Alliance for Patients and Education (CAPE) received word that its two marijuana-related initiatives, for medical marijuana and "smart sentencing," have been certified as each having enough signatures to be placed on the November 2 ballot.
CAPE is now beginning to campaign hard for these two ballot initiatives, and the group needs volunteers for many different tasks. Even if you don't live in the Columbia area, you can help. Please e-mail Dan Viets at danviets@justice.com or call him at 573-443-6866 to find out what volunteer opportunites are available.
CAPE's medical marijuana initiative would protect medical marijuana patients (who have their doctors' recommendations) in Columbia from arrest and criminal penalties. Click here to read the medical marijuana initiative.
The "smart sentencing" initiative would both remove the threat of arrest for misdemeanor possession of marijuana (35 grams/1.25 ounces or less) and marijuana paraphernalia within the Columbia city limits and reduce the penalty to a fine of up to $250. Currently, Missouri's penalty for misdemeanor possession is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Further, the initiative mandates that all misdemeanor marijuana cases be referred to municipal court rather than state court, thereby protecting offenders from losing federal financial aid for education under the Higher Education Act's (HEA's) drug provision. (This provision denies financial aid anyone to convicted of a controlled substance violation on the state or federal level.) Click here to read the text of the initiative.
Both initiatives will be on the Columbia ballot on November 2, but first the Columbia City Council will be given the opportunity to pass these initiatives into law.
These initiatives signal real change, and they could serve as models for the rest of Missouri. And by becoming part of their campaigns, you can make a difference! So, please e-mail Dan Viets today at danviets@justice.com to get in on the action.
Last April, Columbia voters rejected a similar ballot question, which combined the two issues. In a 58 percent to 42 percent vote, Columbia residents voted down an initiative that would have protected medical marijuana patients and reduced penalties for possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana to a $25 fine.
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this on so that even more people can participate in reform.
