Springfield Marijuana Group Falls Short of Petition Goal
A group that wants to decriminalize marijuana use in Springfield has fallen short - way short of the number of valid signatures they need to place the issue before voters in November.
The Springfield News-Leader is reporting that only 47 percent of the 3050 names submitted to the city council clerk were certified, leaving the group 649 names short in order to place the issue before council or to have voters decide the question in the fall.
The group has until August 7th to submit more valid signatures in order to have council take a look at the question at its meeting on August 13th.
The group needs 2101 valid signatures to place the issue before voters. If council fails to act, the question would be left up to voters to decide in the fall.
The petition by "Show-Me Cannabis" seeks to lessen the the penalty of having 35 grams or less of pot.
The petition would amend the current ordinance so adults are not arrested but only face a fine, community service or counseling for possession of a small amount of marijuana.
The highest penalty, under their proposal would be a fine of $150.
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