From: jwilson #0 @rci.ripco.com (Jon Wilson) Internet Re: Will Chicago change its marijuana laws? Path: bbs!whiting!ddsw1!news.kei.com!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!rci!jwilson From: jwilson@rci.ripco.com (Jon Wilson) Newsgroups: alt.hemp,chi.media,chi.general Subject: Will Chicago change its marijuana laws? Message-ID: Date: Sat, 5 Mar 1994 10:37:29 GMT Sender: usenet@rci.ripco.com (Net News Admin) Organization: Ripco Internet BBS Chicago Lines: 127 X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Chicago Sun-Times, Thur, March 3rd, 1994 By Fran Spielman Marijuana penalty: The penalty for possession of small quantities of marijuana would be cut from 30 days in jail and a $500 fine to a $250 fine and no jail time under a proposal by Council Police Committee Chairman William Beavers (7th). Critics said it would send a dangerous message to young people. Under the ordinance, people charged with possession of less than 2.5 grams of marijuana would be treated like parking ticket scofflaws. Instead of going to court, they would appear before a city hearing officer. Beavers, a former Chicago police officer, said his goal is not to slap marijuana users on the wrist but to unclog the overburdened court system. Chicago Tribune, Thursday, March 3, 1994 Sec. 2, page 2 ALDERMAN MOVES TO FURTHER DECRIMINALIZE SMOKING OF MARIJUANA By John Kass Tribune Staff Writer Pot smokers in Chicago would pay a $250 tickcet rather than be hauled into criminal court under a measure introduced Wednesday to the Chicago City Council by Ald. William Beavers (7th), a former police officer. Most alderman publicly denounced the notion as evil incarnate, then privately said it wasn't so bad after all. Still Mayor RIchard Daley didn't think much of it. "I can't figure that out because if you can't smoke cigarettes at City Hall, should we allow people to smoke marijuana?" Daley joked. The idea would decriminalize an already but decriminalized drug. Possession of small amounts of marijuana is not considered a big- time crime by state lawmakers. The offence is a Class C misdemeanor, with a conviction bringing a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. But with courts and jails crowded to the point that violent offenders are let out on bond the same day they are arrested, the penalties for possession 2.5 grams or less are usually court supervision and an admonishment by the judge. Under Beavers' plan, those caught by police with 2.5 grams of marijuana or less would be ordered to pay the $250 fine by the city, rather than go through court and have a drug arrest on their record. The measure would direct the police to file charges under the proposed city ordinance rather than the state law. "Let's be realistic about what happens in court and on the street," Beavers said. "Pot smokers get slapped on the wrist, they clog up the court, and it costs a lot of money to taxpayers to get them in court. This way, the city gets some revenue, and they have to pay real hard cash, which hurts more than a slap on the wrist." The Mayor, who is also the former Cook County state's attorney, didn't think the idea would work. "I doubt it. I was a prosecutor," the mayor said. "They won't pay $250. You'd rather get a piece of paper rather than pay $250. The courts give you a probation, they don't give you a fine." Some alderman said the political risks were too great and that their constituents would be angry that a negative message would be sent to their children. "The people of the 11th Ward would oppose anything like that," said Ald. Patrick Hules (11th). But several others weren't so opposed to Beavers' plan. Aldermen Mary Ann Smith (48th) and Richard Mell (33rd), among others, said they could support the concept if it would help decongest criminal court calls and focus police efforts on violent criminals. What do you all think about this? I have some very mixed feelings about it. I'm not sure if I should be happy or scared. On the one hand, it makes sense to unclcog the courts, and keep people from getting bad grades on their police records, but it scares to think of cops on the look out for a fast, and quick $250 dollar bust, which I know I can't afford...think abouyt it, a $250 dollar fine for something that at the most would cost $20-+ on the street, and costs pennies in REAL worth to grow. Possession of marijuana should be simply decriminalized, and dealt with by society the way it was meant to be delt with...responsible drug use is not something that is harmfull, to the individual, or to society. If they want to raise revenue, why not tax it...its seems to me theres alot more money to be made with an over-the-counter market, then an underground market. One thing I know for sure, is that this is the perfect opportunity to focus media and public attention at the core of the great marijuana debate. It costs society more to try to keep marijuana illegal, than what it would cost to have it decriminalized. Theres my rant for the day... Jon