https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/402/lawrence.shtml

press release from the Drug Policy Forum of Kansas, http://www.dpfks.org online

On Tuesday, September 6, the city commission of Lawrence, Kansas, heard a proposal by Drug Policy Forum of Kansas executive director Laura A. Green to move prosecutions of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia from District Court to Municipal court.

"Moving it to Municipal Court makes a lot of sense," stated Mayor Highberger. "I think the effect of the Higher Education Act is just too harsh. It's not three strikes and you are out. It is one strike and you are out."

In their proposal, DPFKS presented facts showing how municipal court prosecutions would cut costs, allow officers to stay out on the streets longer, and shield students and other aid recipients from losing access to financial aid and benefits under the Higher Education Act Drug Provision and the 1996 Welfare Act.

Leslie Eldridge, Community Affairs Director for the University of Kansas Student Senate, presented the commissioners with A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSITION OF A CITY ORDINANCE BANNING MARIJUANA AND PARAPHRENALIA POSSESSION. The resolution stated the Student Senate passed the ordinance specifically because it would "prevent students from losing financial aid."

The District Attorney, City Prosecutor, Mayor, Police Chief, and the majority of city police officers support the proposed ordinance.

The commission unanimously agreed to have their staff draw up an ordinance for their approval at the October 4th commission meeting.

DPFKS asked the commission to make marijuana a low priority to steer drug enforcement activities away from possession and toward sale to minors. It would also prevent a future commission from using the ordinance to build up revenue from the fines imposed. One commissioner objected on the grounds "marijuana is illegal."

Three of the five commissioners need to approve the low priority language for it to remain in the final ordinance.

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