Pubdate: Sun, 07 Oct 2012
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2012 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact: http://getpublished.news-leader.com/Forms/LettersToEditor.php
Website: http://www.news-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Amos Bridges

MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS CONSIDERING OPTIONS IN SPRINGFIELD

Supporters of a controversial marijuana ordinance hope to overturn
City Council's recent decision, but they won't do it by gathering 
signatures.

Maranda Reynolds, of Springfield Cannabis Regulation, said the group
has decided not to pursue a referendum petition to undo council's
Sept. 24 repeal of the ordinance, which would have restricted the
penalties that can be assessed for minor marijuana possession.

"We were thinking about a referendum, but we decided it would be
unwise because (City Council) could use the same move they did with
the petition to kill it," Reynolds said. "We don't want to take the
risk of doing all that work again only to have them go around it."

Supporters of the ordinance gathered more than 2,100 signatures,
forcing council either to adopt the law as written or send it to a
vote. They and other critics have accused council members of
subverting the initiative petition process by approving the marijuana
law only to repeal it at the first opportunity.

Apparently legal, the maneuver allowed council to avoid putting the
proposed ordinance on the November ballot.

The City Charter allows citizens up to 30 days to gather signatures
for a referendum, which would allow voters a chance to overrule the
council. Instead, Reynolds said, the group is working with the Show-Me
Cannabis Coalition and other allies to raise money and research a
possible lawsuit.

"We're in the process of looking at our options," she said. "We don't
want to proceed with litigation - that's not what we want to do - and
we're still open for the council to work on some sort of compromise
with us ...

"That could involve sending it to the ballot, which they can still do
voluntarily."
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MAP posted-by: Matt