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Local
Council Moves Ahead With Decriminalization Of Possessing Small Amounts Of Pot
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Last Thursday, the Tampa City Council, in a 6-1 vote, gave preliminary approval to an ordinance that could allow people caught with small amounts of marijuana to avoid jail and pay a fine in- stead.
Offenders, rather than face arrest and a criminal record, could pay civil fines that would start at $75, then rise to $150 for a second of- fense, $300 for a third, and $450 after that.
The ordinance hopes to ef- fectively decriminalize the consequences for the posses- sion of 20 grams, about three- quarters of an ounce, or less of marijuana. It is scheduled for a second and final vote by the Council on March 17th. The next step would be for Mayor Bob Buckhorn to sign the ordinance, and he’s al- ready said he supports the idea.
The civil citation program could go into effect as soon as April.
Ellen Snelling, Chair of the Hillsborough county Anti- Drug Alliance, is concerned about marijuana use, includ- ing its effects on developing brains, IQ and memory.
Snelling said the biggest problem with the ordinance is the way it allows offenders to be caught repeatedly without
facing any consequences be- yond a fine.
Tampa Police Department Attorney, Kirby Rains- berger, told Council mem- bers officers would have the discretion to decide whether the ordinance fit the circum- stances of a particular of- fender.
Last year, police made 1,882 arrests that involved the possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, though some involved other charges and those cases could not be handled with a citation.
Rainsberger said getting a citation would not be the same as a traffic ticket. Offi- cers who find marijuana on someone are going to confis- cate it, search the offender’s car and handcuff the person and put them in the back of a police cruiser until they make a decision about what to do.
Council Chair, Frank Reddick, said with the ex- ception of Councilman Charlie Miranda, he and his colleagues are comfortable with the ordinance, and will have the first vote on March 17th.
“I see no problems with it moving forward for the Mayor’s signature.
“I think some people are being a little paranoid think- ing this will lead to legaliza- tion of recreational marijuana. There are ways to deal with pot use, and I think decriminalizing it is one way.”
Council Chair Reddick
said his opposition was to the four violations before an ar- rest can be made.
“I think two fines should be enough, then you have to enter a drug treatment pro- gram.
“Police will use discretion in either fining a person or ar- resting them. I’m not com- fortable with that. If you already have been arrested in the past for minor possession, it will not count against you once the ordinance is passed.”
Business owner, Gloria Shellman, said as far as medical use is concerned, she thinks it’s a good idea.
“I’m not in favor of it being used for everyday living. The drug culture has taken over my neighborhood, and really changed people. There’s no more respect, and I think this
ordinance will create more acts of violence. When your mind is altered by marijuana and other drugs, you don’t think or act rationally. Mari- juana and other drugs have already devastated communi- ties all over the city. I think this is a bad idea and will have a direct impact on the em- ployment of young people.
“Medical use, yes. Every- day use, NO!
Community Leader, Cyn- thia Few: “I have pros and cons. People who are really sick should be able to get it. I’m totally against the recre- ational use. If the ordinance passes, it will cut down on ar- rests for possession, but I think more research needs to be done before something like this is signed into an ordi- nance.
“This ordinance doesn’t
address medical use, and what impact will this have on the people already incarcer- ated for possessing 20 grams or less.”
Activist, Connie Burton: “I think it’s too little too late, and not enough. The police still want to see it as a crimi- nal act. They have the power to make the final decision.
“The reality is people smoke pot because they choose to. I don’t understand why they keep destroying lives for simple marijuana possession. I think there is a bigger problem being ignored, and I think this action is being taken because the arrests have reached into the sub- urbs.”
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016