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Compromise in Works in Pot Law
Sides negotiating to tweak city ordinance.
Katie Fretland| Columbia Daily Tribune | 05/27/2005

The two people who have argued most vociferously about the consequences of a new city ordinance that mandates more lenient punishment for possessing a small amount of marijuana are negotiating to amend it.

Sterling Infield, president of the Columbia Police Officer’s Association, or CPOA, and local attorney Dan Viets, a decriminalization advocate, agree that the ordinance is too easy on repeat offenders.

In November, voters passed an ordinance that requires police to send offenders in possession of as much as 1¼ ounces of marijuana to Columbia Municipal Court for a maximum fine of $250. The offense leaves no mark on their criminal records, and the ordinance suggests waiving the fine in place of community service and drug counseling.

Infield, a former Jefferson City narcotics detective, and Viets are engaging in negotiations, mediated by Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Crane, to ask the Columbia City Council to modify the ordinance.

The city council can amend the ordinance, City Attorney Fred Boeckmann said, even though it started as an initiative petition approved by voters.

The problem with the ordinance, Infield and Viets agree, is that it treats repeat offenders the same as first-time offenders. The CPOA has argued that parolees convicted of previous marijuana-related offenses, murder or rape would be less likely to have their parole revoked if caught with a small amount of the drug.

Infield and Viets will approach the city council about changing the ordinance if they can come to an agreement. They would propose changing the ordinance so it would not apply to some people who have prior marijuana convictions or other felonies on their records, Viets said.

The wording has not yet been decided, Crane said, and the parties will continue debates on what should be included in the amendments. What defines a multiple or repeat offender versus a first-time offender is one area they have been looking at.

"I’m hopeful we can all get along and reach an agreement without going out to the electorate every two or three years," Crane said.

Infield said Crane became the middleman because they consider him an unbiased outside source. Crane expressed concern about the ordinance after it passed, citing the same concerns Infield has about felons on parole. "I don’t want to categorize myself as being on one side or the other," Crane said. "I’m not out passing out petitions."

The CPOA has been collecting signatures since March for a petition to overturn the ordinance, and the organization plans to continue that effort. Officers need 2,275 signatures to place a measure to repeal the ordinance on the ballot. There is no deadline for the petition, but City Clerk Sheela Amin said she wants to have it by late June or early July for it to appear on a November ballot. While his organization will continue petitioning until it reaches the required number of signatures, Infield said, he is optimistic about discussions with Viets.

"Negotiations are still ongoing, and hopefully we can get to a good compromise for both sides," Infield said.

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greypoe

Ouch, still waiting to get in contact with Dan Viets.

pheadrus

i live right next to columbia. everyone i know who smokes likes the decrim. those who are against illeagial drugs are against the decrim. i think that some people like to change how they think and feel and some people do not like changing how they think and feel. they also tend to be overstressed, easily angered, illogical thoughts based in invalid precepts, and active agressive. they tend to be young or fledgling souls. still learning the basic lessons of earth school.

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god willin and the powder stays dry i will remain -Pheadrus-