Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2012
Source: Galesburg Register-Mail (IL)
Copyright: 2012 Galesburg Register-Mail
Contact: http://www.register-mail.com/news/letters/index.html
Website: http://www.galesburg.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3864
Author: Stephen Di Benedetto

GALESBURG ALDERMAN: PLAN DOESN'T LEGALIZE POT

Jeremy Karlin Says It Gives Police Another Option

GALESBURG - The chief architect of a controversial marijuana proposal 
on Wednesday countered the perception that giving police the option 
to issue a city fine for small possession equates to legalizing the drug.

Alderman Jeremy Karlin, Ward 7, said he is willing to meet with 
anyone to talk about the proposed ordinance, and he already is 
discussing with local drug prevention groups on how to engage 
residents, especially teenagers, about the hazards of marijuana use.

"This is not legalization in any stretch," Karlin said. "The essence 
of the ordinance is to give police officers another tool in their 
toolbox to fight drug possession, while also fairly treating 
individuals, who are charged, and giving individuals the opportunity 
to have consequences for their actions, but not such that it can have 
lasting effects on individuals' futures."

Karlin proposed late last year the idea of allowing police the option 
to issue at least a $500 city fine for people caught with 2.5 grams 
or less of marijuana, or drug paraphernalia, like bongs or pipes, 
used to inhale the drug. Police could still charge individuals with a 
class C misdemeanor that could result in some jail time and a 
permanent mark on the person's record.

The ordinance was supposed to get its first reading in front of City 
Council on Monday, but Mayor Sal Garza pulled it off the agenda this 
week to allow more time for city officials and community groups to 
devise a communications strategy to educate residents that the 
ordinance does not legalize marijuana.

The mayor has not determined when the ordinance could be considered.

But Karlin said he has already started crafting communication ideas 
with the Knox County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

The alderman intends to speak to Galesburg High School students about 
the ordinance. He is also meeting later this week with reporters from 
the high school's student newspaper.

Tina Gummerson, Drug Free Communities grant coordinator, said the 
coalition and Karlin have discussed ideas on how to engage teenagers 
about the ordinance and marijuana.

Community leaders, she said, need to get the message that 
decriminalization does not make it acceptable to use marijuana.

"It's just trying to get that message out there that it's still 
illegal, still wrong, and the risks of use are still there, no matter 
if it's a state law or a city ordinance," Gummerson said.

Garza's decision to pull the item off the council's agenda came after 
a heated debate Tuesday among members on the liquor commission about 
whether the proposal sent a mixed messages to teens about drug use.

In a February meeting, the city's Youth Commission expressed similar 
concerns, but Karlin said the group understands that the city isn't 
softening its stance toward marijuana use.

"I've had this conservation with groups and individuals, and they get 
it," Karlin said. "It's just a matter of getting the word out. I'm 
happy to meet with anyone."
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