Lower marijuana priority passes
There’s no doubt where our city stands on the issue of lower priority law enforcement of small amounts of marijuana. With all precints’ votes counted, the results are For: 16,951 (66%) and Against : 8,782 (34%).
In other words, Fayetteville says “Yes” to pot.
What’s not certain, though, is whether or not this will actually change anything. Chances are, it don’t mean squat. I mean, it’s still illegal y’know?
According to sensiblefayetteville.com, the new approach will simply encourage police “to use their discretion to ticket and fine offenders” who are caught with one ounce or less of marijuana. The group believes that this could result in a savings for law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. It also says the ordinance would encourage greater use of drug education and community service work which, it says, “are far more effective in addressing substance abuse problems.”
A similar ordinance was passed in Eureka Springs last year.
What do you think? Is this a good thing for Fayetteville or is everyone immediately gonna trade in their Camel Lights for wacky tobacky?
Comments
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Kelly Maddy
November 5, 2008
Kudos to the courageous citizens of Fayetteville! It is about 25 years to late, but is a victory none-the-less! Taxation and regulation isn’t to far away!
The Infidel
November 5, 2008
A surprisingly progressive step forward to say the least. It won’t change a damn thing, but at least part of this state is moving in the right direction.
Boggy Creek Creature
November 6, 2008
It’s still illegal and they’ll still bust your ass for it.
Has there been any recorded reduction of arrests in Eureka?
I’ve found a few articles around the time of it’s passing, but nothing on any changes. Judging from the articles, it doesn’t seem like there would be any effect.
I’ll keep an eye on the Lovely County Citizen’s police beat, which, if you haven’t discovered it already, is one of the finest reads on the whole of the interweb. Everything from rats attacking children to a quote from Friday the 13th that pretty much sums up the whole thing, “4:54 p.m. — A Pivot Rock Rd. resident invited an officer to “check out a strong smell of pot smoke.”"
George
November 6, 2008
BCC – I’ve talked to some Eureka citizens (and one Eureka cop) about this. From what I have gathered, it’s really hard to say what the net effect has been. I’ve heard marijuana arrests have not gone down. However, the police aren’t looking for pot. They are busting people for it when they arrest them for other things because state/national laws supersede city ordinances. So basically a dude or dudette gets arrested for lewd conduct in the Basin Park and during the booking process the cops find a joint in their pocket. Busted. Arrests for other offenses have gone up due to increased traffic (BBBQ, etc). This could explain the lack of decrease in marijuana arrests.
I have nothing to back that up except for random conversations with people. If anyone has actual statistics…that would be great.
Kelly Maddy
November 6, 2008
Here is the lowdown people. No Arkansas city can change a law that contradicts with state law (unlike MO, see: Columbia, MO 2004 victory) So this, as well as Eureka Springs, are symbolic victories that will build towards a state initiative or legislative action.
Since we began working on this initiative over a year ago, we have heard from the police, prosecutor, and the city attorney that Fayetteville police already use their discretion to deprioritize such arrests. Now the voters have thrown their support behind this approach, and will expect to see decreasing numbers of arrests for adult marijuana possession in the City of Fayetteville.
Equally important is the fact that this initiative mandates a letter on behalf of the voters be sent by the city clerk each year to our elected representatives in the state and federal government, asking they take immediate steps to enact similar laws.
Of greatest importance is this public acknowledgment that voters are not satisfied with the current policies governing marijuana. These policies are expensive, damaging to our families and communities, and they don’t work. While the government has spent billions of dollars jailing hundreds of thousands of otherwise law abiding citizens for the private use of marijuana, the use of marijuana has not decreased, but rather has increased. Clearly it is time for a new approach, and this is a crucial first step in that direction.
There you have it. Any questions send them to denhamrendering@yahoo.com or kelly@joplin-norml.org
Total Bastard
November 6, 2008
HEY KELLY thanks for info.
Is there any way that Fayetteville could transition to a law enforcement priority where certain offenses are ticketable and not arrestable?
Austin started doing this I think this year. Not just weed, but other stuff too.
Saves court costs and room in the jail. It would probably require a statewide mandate. Of course we could just secede.
I am all for independence from Arkansas and the U.S.A. for that matter.
Does that make me a terrorist?
Things are so much more interesting now than they were 8 years ago…
Boggy Creek Creature
November 6, 2008
George-
It seemed like a moot point, anyway. I mean, it’s eureka. I thought low priority for weed was how it always was there.
Glad to see you post something. I wanted to lament about the Wolf Parade show in LR tonight.
George
November 6, 2008
Oh hell yes. While I have not been able to catch them yet, I’ve heard that’s quite the excellent show. Lament on…
And I hear ya about Eureka. I remember years ago smoking out in Basin Park with little to no fear of getting busted. My kind of town.
Strokitecture
November 6, 2008
i love sensible people. thank you sensible fayetteville.
Scott
November 6, 2008
I think a logical next step would be a campaign and petition drive for Medical usage (such as Michigan) or decrim (as in Massachusetts).
I would wait until the next major election however. A much larger common-sense to fundie ration that way.
Boggy Creek Creature
November 6, 2008
they’re playing the rev room down in LR tonight.
i’ve no scratch and rather a reluctance to revisit stomping grounds.
damn shame, though.