The General
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Illinois - The Galesburg City Council will revisit a proposed ordinance that would make possession of small amounts of cannabis a municipal code violation when it meets Monday. The resurrected cannabis ordinance was first brought forward by Alderman Jeremy Karlin, Ward 7, for consideration in July 2012, followed by the City Council's approval in the form of a 4-3 vote a month later, only to be vetoed by former Mayor Sal Garza. The ordinance was reconsidered during a Sept. 4 meeting, and after a 4-3 vote, the veto prevailed, according to public documents.
The City Council will revisit the ordinance on first reading during Monday night's meeting. Karlin said he brought the proposed ordinance up because there is support for it from both the City Council and the mayor. "It was a good proposal then, and the mayor has expressed interest in supporting it," Karlin said. He said the ordinance makes sense from a legal perspective and provides consequences to offenders without resulting in a criminal conviction. "It does give young offenders consequences for their actions, but not such that would result in a criminal conviction that would have detrimental effects on student loan and employment opportunities, as well as the money we would use in the ordinance rather than sending it off to Springfield," Karlin said. "I suspect we could find use for that in creating drug-free opportunities and events in town."
Under current law, a person under 17 years old has three options if he or she is found with post or paraphernalia. The first option is an arrest and referral to juvenile court services for a state charge. The second option consists of a referral to teen court and the third option is "station house adjustment," which is "allows certain restrictions to be in place (curfews) or counseling with parents, among other options," according to city documents. Adults apprehended for a violation are referred for a state charge. If the ordinance would be approved, two options would be added for both adults and juveniles: "an arrest and issuance of notice to appear for a city ordinance violation or an issuance of an administration citation," according to the ordinance document. "Officers would have the option, if the proposed ordinance becomes effective to refer offenders for a state charge if circumstances warrant."
Karlin said the ordinance also would help better utilize law enforcement resources. "It is the most effective way of using our limited law enforcement in this community," he said. According to the ordinance documents, possession of 2.5 grams of cannabis or less is a class C misdemeanor and is subject to $150 fine and court costs. Paraphernalia possession is a class A misdemeanor subject to a $150 fine and court costs.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Galesburg.com
Author: Dani Kinnison
Contact: Contact Us - The Register-Mail - Galesburg, IL
Website: Pot ordinance returns to council - News - The Register-Mail - Galesburg, IL
The City Council will revisit the ordinance on first reading during Monday night's meeting. Karlin said he brought the proposed ordinance up because there is support for it from both the City Council and the mayor. "It was a good proposal then, and the mayor has expressed interest in supporting it," Karlin said. He said the ordinance makes sense from a legal perspective and provides consequences to offenders without resulting in a criminal conviction. "It does give young offenders consequences for their actions, but not such that would result in a criminal conviction that would have detrimental effects on student loan and employment opportunities, as well as the money we would use in the ordinance rather than sending it off to Springfield," Karlin said. "I suspect we could find use for that in creating drug-free opportunities and events in town."
Under current law, a person under 17 years old has three options if he or she is found with post or paraphernalia. The first option is an arrest and referral to juvenile court services for a state charge. The second option consists of a referral to teen court and the third option is "station house adjustment," which is "allows certain restrictions to be in place (curfews) or counseling with parents, among other options," according to city documents. Adults apprehended for a violation are referred for a state charge. If the ordinance would be approved, two options would be added for both adults and juveniles: "an arrest and issuance of notice to appear for a city ordinance violation or an issuance of an administration citation," according to the ordinance document. "Officers would have the option, if the proposed ordinance becomes effective to refer offenders for a state charge if circumstances warrant."
Karlin said the ordinance also would help better utilize law enforcement resources. "It is the most effective way of using our limited law enforcement in this community," he said. According to the ordinance documents, possession of 2.5 grams of cannabis or less is a class C misdemeanor and is subject to $150 fine and court costs. Paraphernalia possession is a class A misdemeanor subject to a $150 fine and court costs.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Galesburg.com
Author: Dani Kinnison
Contact: Contact Us - The Register-Mail - Galesburg, IL
Website: Pot ordinance returns to council - News - The Register-Mail - Galesburg, IL
