Pubdate: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 Source: Joplin Globe, The (MO) Copyright: 2008 The Joplin Globe Contact: http://www.joplinglobe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/859 Cited: Sensible Joplin http://www.sensiblejoplin.org/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) PRAISE FOR 'GRASS' - ROOTS EFFORT Joplin voters won't get a chance to vote on a proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. A group of volunteers known as Sensible Joplin organized a petition drive that fell short of its goal. The group was pushing its Sensible Sentencing Initiative, which called for reducing sentences associated with possessing smaller amounts of the illegal drug. Our editorial board had yet to make a decision on whether to support the initiative. Initial presentations looked interesting, but the board wanted to see ballot language before rendering a decision. The initiative required 4,656 valid signatures of Joplin voters, or roughly 15 percent, to be placed on the ballot. They only got 4,125 signatures, which puts them at about 13.3 percent. We commend Sensible Joplin for their efforts and for participating in our system of government. Volunteers worked within the rules of Joplin's city charter and spent countless hours in hot and wet weather collecting signatures. But we're not so sure blaming the county clerk's office is a good way to accept defeat. Kelly Maddy, president of the initiative, said that had voter rolls been purged regularly, the initiative would have received the required number of signatures. But County Clerk Bonnie Earl said voter rolls are purged as much as the law allows. Volunteers with the group have had two chances to collect enough signatures on petitions. Both times, volunteers came up short after the validation process. Even though Joplin residents didn't actually cast votes for the measure, it appears that they have already spoken. We should not make the mistake of confusing voter disinterest with governmental incompetence. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake