Pubdate: Sun, 12 Aug 2012
Source: Northwest Herald (IL)
Copyright: 2012 Northwest Herald Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.nwherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2762

SUPPORT FOR MARIJUANA CITATION PLAN

We remain opposed to the legalization of marijuana in Illinois, even 
for medicinal purposes.

But we find merit in a proposal by Crystal Lake Police Chief David 
Linder that would allow city police officers to issue a ticket for 
possession of a small amount of marijuana rather than make a 
misdemeanor arrest.

Linder offered his proposal to the City Council recently because he 
said making arrests for small amounts of marijuana occupies too much 
of his officers' time.

According to Linder, making a misdemeanor marijuana arrest requires 
two officers taking about two hours each to process the case. That 
means that, on some shifts, one third of available patrol officers 
are tied up dealing with the arrest, Linder said.

The City Council delayed a vote last week on a proposed ordinance 
that would allow officers to write a ticket for possession of less 
than 30 grams of marijuana rather than make a misdemeanor arrest.

The tickets would carry a fine of between $500 and $1,000.

Other communities in McHenry County already have similar ordinances. 
Woodstock began issuing tickets for marijuana possession in 2009, 
followed by McHenry in 2010.

Mayor Aaron Shepley argued that 30 grams of marijuana is a 
significant amount, and we agree. If the proposed ordinance comes up 
for a vote again, a "small amount" should be defined as something 
less than 30 grams. Chicago approved a similar ordinance in June that 
put that threshold at 15 grams. In Evanston, it's even less at 10 
grams, which seems more reasonable than 30.

We see no harm in moving forward on Linder's suggestion. It does not 
legalize marijuana, it just makes it easier for officers to deal with 
offenders.

Those who have been charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession 
rarely serve jail time, anyway.

A fine of $500 for a first offense remains a significant deterrent. 
And we've seen no negative ramifications in Woodstock or McHenry 
since they put similar ordinances in place.

The proposed ordinance would free up officers' time to patrol Crystal 
Lake's roads and perhaps deter more serious crimes.

We suggest the City Council move forward.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom