Pubdate: Thu, 09 Aug 2012
Source: Northwest Herald (IL)
Copyright: 2012 Northwest Herald Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.nwherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2762
Author: Brett Rowland

LOOSER POLICY ON POT STILL ALIVE IN CRYSTAL LAKE

CRYSTAL LAKE - The debate over decriminalizing possession of small 
amounts of marijuana could continue in Crystal Lake, with the 
majority of the City Council in favor of moving in that direction.

Nationally, the momentum appears to be on the side of decriminalization.

Fourteen states and many more municipalities have approved 
decriminalization laws in the past 30 years, said Allen St. Pierre, 
executive director of NORML, a national nonprofit organization that 
supports responsible recreational and medical use of marijuana.

"A third of the country's population already lives with 
decriminalization," he said. "And many towns in Illinois decided to 
go this way long before Crystal Lake put its toe in the water."

The movement has even reached conservative McHenry County. Woodstock 
and McHenry began issuing tickets for possession of small amounts of 
marijuana in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Chicago approved such a policy in June. Its ordinance allows police 
to issue tickets carrying a fine of $250 to $500 for possession of 
less than 15 grams of marijuana. Evanston's ordinance, approved in 
2011, applies to possession of less than 10 grams.

The Crystal Lake City Council held off on a motion to approve an 
ordinance Tuesday that would allow police officers to issue a ticket 
for possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana rather than make a 
misdemeanor arrest. The tickets carry a fine of between $500 and 
$1,000. Offenders would avoid a criminal conviction or jail.

Some council members wanted the ordinance to be limited to a smaller 
amount of marijuana, such as 15 grams rather than 30.

Crystal Lake Police Chief David Linder may tighten up the language 
and limit the scope of the ordinance before bringing it back to the 
council for another vote, said Councilwoman Carolyn Schofield, one of 
four members who supported the proposal.

"I think it can be worked through," she said Wednesday. "I want to 
provide our police department with the resources they need. If this 
gives them the tools they need to keep our city safe, then I'll support it."

The police chief didn't return calls from the Northwest Herald 
seeking comment Wednesday.

Shepley said he worried that treating possession of marijuana in the 
same manner as other ordinance violations - such as letting one's 
grass grow too high - would send the wrong message. He said the 
policy could have unintended consequences.

Crystal Lake already allows police to issue tickets for other 
misdemeanors, such as underage drinking, retail theft and possession 
of synthetic drugs.

"Alcohol is one thing and synthetic drugs are one thing," Hopkins 
said. "But marijuana is a different thing altogether."

Ferguson, a social worker, said she had seen firsthand how marijuana 
use can hurt families. She said she was uncomfortable with the amount 
of discretion the proposed ordinance gives to officers. She said she 
also wanted the ordinance to be limited to smaller amounts of the drug.

On the other side, Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller argued it is 
inconsistent for the city to treat possession of small amounts of 
marijuana and underage drinking differently. She said the policies 
should be consistent.

Schofield and Jeffrey Thorsen said they would go along with the 
recommendation of Chief Linder. Councilman Ralph Dawson said he 
supports the ordinance.

Shepley said he worried that treating possession of marijuana in the 
same manner as other ordinance violations - such as letting one's 
grass grow too high - would send the wrong message. He said the 
policy could have unintended consequences.

Crystal Lake already allows police to issue tickets for other 
misdemeanors, such as underage drinking, retail theft and possession 
of synthetic drugs.

"Alcohol is one thing and synthetic drugs are one thing," Hopkins 
said. "But marijuana is a different thing altogether."

Ferguson, a social worker, said she had seen firsthand how marijuana 
use can hurt families. She said she was uncomfortable with the amount 
of discretion the proposed ordinance gives to officers. She said she 
also wanted the ordinance to be limited to smaller amounts of the drug.

On the other side, Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller argued it is 
inconsistent for the city to treat possession of small amounts of 
marijuana and underage drinking differently. She said the policies 
should be consistent.

Schofield and Jeffrey Thorsen said they would go along with the 
recommendation of Chief Linder. Councilman Ralph Dawson said he 
supports the ordinance.
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