Kansas City Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative Up for Vote Tomorrow
In Kansas City, Missouri an initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession is up for a vote tomorrow, April 4th.
Question 5, up for a vote tomorrow, would decriminalize the possession of up to 35 grams of cannabis, making it a simple $25 fine rather than a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison (and/or a maximum fine of $2,000).
“We’re not telling people that this will make marijuana legal,” says Jamie Kacz of Kansas City NORML, clearing up the confusion from some that have been calling Question 5 a legalization measure “It’s just reducing the penalties and that’s very important for people to understand.”
Below is the ballot language of Question 5:
Shall the City of Kansas City limit the authorized punishment that can be imposed in the Municipal Court for the possession or control of 35 grams or less of marijuana to a maximum $25 fine, eliminate jail as a potential punishment for the possession or control of marijuana, and remove marijuana from the prohibition against drug paraphernalia?
With roughly 467,000 residents, Kansas City is the most populated city in Missouri, and the 35th most populated city in the United States.
