Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2002
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)
Copyright: 2002 Columbia Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.showmenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/91
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CITY CLERK VALIDATES MARIJUANA PETITIONS

A group of University of Missouri-Columbia students seeking to 
decriminalize small amounts of marijuana gathered enough signatures on an 
initiative petition to ensure that their proposed measure will make the 
April ballot.

The Columbia City Clerk's office yesterday said the petitions, circulated 
by the Columbia Alliance for Patients and Education, contained 1,285 valid 
signatures. The group needed 1,191 valid signatures.

Two ordinances related to the petition drive are scheduled for introduction 
at a Columbia City Council meeting Monday. The ordinances would be voted on 
at the council's Jan. 20 meeting.

The first ordinance would adopt the proposed measure, which seeks to direct 
all people charged with possessing 35 grams of marijuana or less to 
municipal court, limit punishments for possession to small fines and ask 
city prosecutors to dismiss charges against people who use marijuana for 
medicinal purposes under the direction of a doctor.

If the council defeats the first ordinance, it would pass a second 
ordinance that would place the proposal on the April 8 ballot.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager