Signature-gathering for Kalamazoo marijuana ordinance begins

Signature-gathering for Kalamazoo marijuana ordinance begins

So you have a small group of like minded friends and you want to make a real difference, this type of ordinance may just be the kind of effort to attract attention as well as seeing a few less arrests. Most cities allow referendums to change their ordinances, and this type of change can be instrumental in getting more support from state representatives when they see the general public stands behind decriminalization.

If you live in Kalamazoo, your time to stand up is now.

The Kalamazoo Coalition for Pragmatic Cannabis Laws is seeking to have an ordinance added to Kalamazoo’s city charter that would make the possession of small amounts of marijuana the “lowest priority for law enforcement.”

“We’re stunned at the amount of money being spent for pot arrests,” said Martin Chilcutt, a member of the coalition. “It’s the least dangerous of all drugs. We don’t understand what [law enforcement] is afraid of. It’s irrational fear.”

Ron Kramer, head of the criminal justice department at Western Michigan University, said that the issue “seems to make sense.”
“It’s a sane proposal that’s long overdue,” said Kramer, who is an advocate for the legalization of marijuana. “It would let law enforcement focus on the real problems facing the city.”

Organizers will have to submit a total of at least 1,273 signatures of registered city voters to the Kalamazoo city clerk by Aug. 14. The issue would then go before the city commission, which would have 14 days to either adopt the measure or punt it to voters. The coalition is hoping to have the issue before voters in the November election.

Of course the police don’t think it’s reasonable for the citizens to tell them what to do (after all, they really don’t work for us to protect us, they work for themselves to protect themselves)..

Cpt. Joseph Taylor, commander of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, which targets illegal drug use in Kalamazoo County, went a bit further, calling the proposal “ludicrous.”

“This is a silly idea,” he said. “It’s a roundabout way of circumventing the more difficult process of getting marijuana legalized.”

Preliminary statistics for 2008 show that 1,593 controlled substance arrests were made in Kalamazoo. Of that number, 933 were for marijuana offenses of which 173 for felonies and 820 for misdemeanors (87% of all marijuana arrests).

The average cost per arrest is $4,000, according to the coalition.

If you live near Kalamazoo or know someone who does, check out the KazooCPLC website here.

You see, Cpt. Taylor doesn’t understand how the “process of getting marijuana legalized” actually works. He doesn’t understand that a War is fought battle by battle. This is just another step that must be taken to finally end the War on Pot.