Vote To Decriminalize Marijuana Passes In Wichita

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KANSAS:  Voters in Wichita went to the polls on Tuesday and approved easing penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The final results came in at 9:15 p.m.

Wichita Question

YES …… 20075 / 54%
NO …… 17091 / 45%

Precinct Reported 0153, Eligible Precinct 0153

The proposed ordinance does not legalize marijuana. It makes first-time possession a criminal infraction with a $50 fine. Under state law, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and a year in jail.

Voters want to send the Legislature a message.

Wichita Voters Asked To Decide On Marijuana Ballot Issue

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KANSAS:  Voters in Wichita will decide whether to approve a ballot that seeks to ease penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana.

The issue is on the ballot for Tuesday’s municipal election in Wichita.

The proposed ordinance does not legalize marijuana. It makes first-time possession a criminal infraction with a $50 fine. Under state law, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and a year in jail.

Opponents contend the city has no legal authority to adopt an ordinance that conflicts with state law. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has said he would sue the city if it passes.

 

Vote This Week Could Put Marijuana Petition On April Ballot

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KANSAS:  We will know on Tuesday whether or not Wichitans will vote on a marijuana petition in April. The petition looks to lesson the fines and eliminate jail time for marijuana possession within the city.

The Wichita City Council will vote at its next meeting to put the issue on the ballot or not.

Council members have three options: Pass the issue outright and make it a city ordinance without a public vote. They could put the petition up for a legal challenge or let the voters decide this April.

The group who started the marijuana petition held an emergency meeting Sunday to go over plans for Tuesday. That’s their last chance to convince the city council to put the issue on the ballot.

 

Marijuana Decriminalization Petition 47 Signatures Short, Election Commissioner Certifies

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KANSAS:  A petition to let voters decide whether to decriminalize marijuana has fallen 47 signatures short of forcing its way onto the Wichita city ballot, the county’s election chief certified Friday.

Backers of the petition plan to challenge that count, saying some legitimate voters appeared to have improperly excluded over registration and timing technicalities.

There also was a mathematical error that had to be corrected in the official certification document.

Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman’s initial report to the city clerk said “The petition pages contain the signatures of 2,887 qualified electors of the City of Wichita, 47 short of the required 2,928.”

 

 

Advocates For Wichita Decriminalization Of Marijuana Turn In Petitions

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KANSAS:  Advocates of reducing penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in Wichita turned in petitions to the city seeking to have the question put on the November ballot.

Petition organizers say they collected more than 5,800 signatures, more than twice the number needed to put the issue to a vote.

The proponents want to reduce the penalty for possession from the current maximum of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine to a $25 fine with no jail time. They also want to change possession of pot or paraphernalia from a criminal misdemeanor to a minor civil offense like a building code violation.