The upcoming Kansas City April 4th election offers a unique opportunity to not only reform the prison industrial complex at the local level but also keep municipal rules & regs up to date with marijuana reforms across the nation.
To wit . . .
FIRST ON TKC!!! CHECK KANSAS CITY WEED ADVOCATES SHARING A FIRST LOOK AT THE QUESTION 5 CAMPAIGN WEBSITE!!!
YES ON 5 KC was established as a campaign committee by the Kansas City Board of Elections on February 24th, 2017. The campaign’s single goal is the approval of QUESTION 5 during the upcoming School and Special Election on April 4th.
The campaign website debuts on TKC right now . . .
YesOn5KC.com
Now, check the statement from the group . . .
New Campaign Committee to Decriminalize Marijuana in Kansas City
YES on 5 KC campaign committee filed with the local election authority to support Question 5. The campaign is the first to file in favor of Question 5. The April 4th ballot will include municipal bond issues as well as Question 5, which could reduce marijuana penalties if the new ordinance is approved by voters.
“This campaign is taking marijuana reform seriously. It’s time to end harsh penalties for good people,” said Ryan Flowers, the treasurer of YES ON 5 KC. “QUESTION 5 is really about compassion. Should families suffer under unfair laws?” Nearly 1,000 people were arrested last year in Kansas City for possession of marijuana.
If QUESTION 5 is approved, possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana will be classified as a civil infraction with a maximum fine of $25 with no possibility of arrest or jail. This would go further than the statewide decriminalization policies already in effect.
On the first day of 2017, Missouri became the 19th state to decriminalize marijuana. Under the new law, first time offenders caught with less than 10 grams of marijuana are charged with a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $500, but do not face incarceration. (Prison time, larger fines, and felony charges can still be given to second time offenders, or people in possession of more than 10 grams.)
Yes on 5 KC says the law doesn’t go far enough. To qualify for the April ballot, a local citizen’s initiative formed and collected over 4,000 signatures to reduce marijuana possession penalties.
In late January, the Kansas City Council voted 12 to 1 to put QUESTION 5 on the ballot, Mayor Sly James casting the dissenting vote. Kansas City voters will be asked QUESTION 5 during the School and Special Election on April 4th. The question on the ballot will read:
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?
The YES ON 5 KC campaign has a limited timeframe with the April 4th vote less than six weeks. Online and social media campaign focused on raising awareness for the upcoming vote and the benefits of marijuana law reform. (YesOn5KC.com ). “QUESTION 5 gives Kansas City an opportunity to catch-up with states already benefiting from more progressive marijuana policies.”
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You decide . . .
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