Pubdate: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) Copyright: 2004 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Contact: http://www.stltoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/418 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) MARIJUANA - HIGH TIMES IN COLUMBIA MAYBE IT'S A SIGN OF THE TIMES, but it's a surprising sign in a state and county that went red on Nov. 2. Voters in Columbia, Mo., decided on Election Day to decriminalize marijuana, permitting its medicinal use and offering low fines and no jail time for anyone caught with 35 grams or less. In other words, it's cool to have the equivalent of 20 king-sized doobies. In addition, the charges will be dropped for first-time offenders who keep their nose clean. Is this a good idea? Maybe, maybe not. But it's a reflection of the times, argues Dan Viets, a Columbia attorney who has defended people accused of pot possession and helped lead the effort to change Columbia's law. He argues that the anti-marijuana law made no sense and that the government has no business treating pot-smokers like criminals. He also says plenty of Republicans voted to ease the punishment for pot possession. The only thing that surprised him was the margin of victory for the two propositions: 70 percent said yes to the use of medical marijuana and 60 percent said a municipal court should handle cases involving 35 grams or less. This law also means students busted on misdemeanor drug charges in Columbia wouldn't lose their financial aid. Federal law forbids financial assistance to students with pot convictions in higher courts. It turns out most people possessing small amounts of pot had little to worry about. Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Crane says his office isn't exactly filling the jail with recreational pot-smokers who have no serious criminal records. But Columbia Police Chief Randy Boehm is a bit concerned that the law isn't tougher on repeat offenders. Though the public may be more accepting of pot, federal drug officials aren't convinced marijuana should be decriminalized. They argue that pot sold these days is far more potent than the pot smoked in the 1960s and 1970s. On the other hand, more than a dozen states allow the use of medicinal marijuana and/or have lightened the penalty for recreational use. Mr. Viets says the next step is to get the Missouri Legislature to allow statewide the use of marijuana with a doctor's approval. In a Republican-dominated Legislature with a Republican governor, that may not seem likely at first blush. Then again, you never can tell. After all, this is the same statehouse bunch that refused to outlaw deer hunting under the influence. Apparently they think it's just fine for good ol' boys to climb up a tree with a six-pack and a rifle and shoot deer. Now that's a natural high. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek