wichita Archives - TheJointBlog

Wichita City Council Votes Unanimously to Reduce First-Time Marijuana Possession Offenses

June 7, 2017June 6, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

The Wichita City Council has unanimously voted to give initial approval to an ordinance that would reduce penalties for some first-time marijuana offenses.

The approved ordinance would require a $50 fine for most first-time offenders of possessing marijuana; if over 21, they would not have to undergo drug-related counseling. Currently a first-time marijuana possession offense can result in up to a year in jail and/or a maximum fine of up to $2,500. Unfortunately courts would still have the option to impose such penalties if they feel appropriate in a case-by-case basis.

Under the proposed law, a second offense for marijuana possession would still bring forth the harsh penalty of imprisonment of up to a year and/or a find of up to $2,500. The ordinance will need to be approved through one more council vote – not yet scheduled – before it can take effect.

Wichita, Kansas Decriminalizes Cannabis

April 8, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Voters in Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, have approved an initiative to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis.

The initiative was approved with 54% in favor, 46% opposed, roughly the same percentage that approved legalization initiatives in 2012 in Colorado and Washington State.

The initiative decriminalizes the possession of up to 32 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older, making it a simple $50 civil infraction with no possibility of jail time. Under current Wichita law, the possession of even a miniscule amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor with a potential year-long jail sentence.

Initiative to Decriminalize Cannabis On Tomorrow’s Ballot in Wichita, Kansas

April 6, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

An initiative to remove criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis will be up for a public vote tomorrow, April 7th in Wichita, the largest city in Kansas.

If approved into law, the initiative would decriminalize the possession of up to 32 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older, making it a simple $50 civil infraction with no possibility of jail time.

Under current Kansas law the possession of any amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor that carries with it a potential year-long jail sentence.

Initiative to Decriminalize Cannabis on April 7th Ballot in Wichita, Kansas

April 2, 2015April 1, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

An initiative to decriminalize the possession of over an ounce of cannabis is up for a public vote next week on Tuesday, April 7th, in Wichita, Kansas’ largest city.

If approved into law, the initiative would decriminalize the possession of up to 32 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older, making it a simple $50 ticket, rather than the current penalty of a misdemeanor with the potential of up to a year in jail.

Advocates of the initiative submitted enough signatures on January 7th to put the measure before the City Council, which voted 6 to 1 to put it to a vote of the people on April 7th.

Initiative to Decriminalize Cannabis Up for Public Vote Next Month in Kansas’ Largest City

March 9, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

An initiative to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis will be voted on next month in Wichita, Kansas’ largest city.

If approved into law, the proposal – which will be voted on April 7th – would decriminalize the possession of up to 32 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older, making it a simple $50 ticket. Advocates of the initiative submitted enough signatures on January 7th to put the measure before the City Council, which voted 6 to 1 to put it to a vote of the people on April 7th.

Initiative to Decriminalize Cannabis Placed on April Ballot in Kansas’ Largest City

January 29, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

An initiative to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis has been officially placed on the April 7th ballot in Wichita, Kansas’ largest city.

If approved into law, the proposal would decriminalize the possession of up to 32 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older, making it a simple $50 ticket. Advocates of the initiative submitted enough signatures on January 7th to put the measure before the City Council, which had the option of either passing it into law, or placing it to a vote of the people; they chose the later with a 6 to 1 vote.

Enough Signatures Collected to Put Cannabis Decriminalization to an April Vote in Wichita, Kansas

February 17, 2015December 29, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

Activists have collected more than enough signatures on an initiative to decriminalize cannabis to put it to a vote of the people in the April, 2015 election in Wichita, Kansas, according to the group Kansas for Change. The group plans to submit the signatures to city officials on January 7th.

If approved into law, the initiative would make the possession of up to 32 grams of cannabis a criminal infraction of $50, rather than a misdemeanor which carries with it the potential of up to a year in prison.

Wichita, Kansas Decriminalization Initiative Qualifies for April Ballot

November 17, 2014November 12, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

Advocates have collected enough signatures on an initiative to decriminalize cannabis in Wichita, the largest city in the State of Kansas, to qualify it for the April ballot, according to the Southcentral Kansas Peace and Justice Center.

If approved into law by city voters, the initiative would remove criminal penalties for the possession and use of cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia, making it a simple $50 ticket. Under current Wichita law, the possession of even a miniscule amount of cannabis can result in a jail sentence of up to a year.