From: jwilson #0 @rci.ripco.com (Jon Wilson) Internet
Re: Will Chicago change its marijuana laws?
 
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From: jwilson@rci.ripco.com (Jon Wilson)
Newsgroups: alt.hemp,chi.media,chi.general
Subject: Will Chicago change its marijuana laws?
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Date: Sat, 5 Mar 1994 10:37:29 GMT
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Chicago Sun-Times, Thur, March 3rd, 1994
By Fran Spielman

Marijuana penalty: The penalty for possession of small quantities 
of marijuana would be cut from 30 days in jail and a $500 fine to 
a $250 fine and no jail time under a proposal by Council Police 
Committee Chairman William Beavers (7th). Critics said it would 
send a dangerous message to young people. Under the ordinance, 
people charged with possession of less than 2.5 grams of marijuana 
would be treated like parking ticket scofflaws. Instead of going 
to court, they would appear before a city hearing officer. 
Beavers, a former Chicago police officer, said his goal is not to 
slap marijuana users on the wrist but to unclog the overburdened 
court system.
 

Chicago Tribune, Thursday, March 3, 1994 Sec. 2, page 2

ALDERMAN MOVES TO FURTHER DECRIMINALIZE SMOKING OF MARIJUANA

By John Kass
Tribune Staff Writer

Pot smokers in Chicago would pay a $250 tickcet rather than be 
hauled into criminal court under a measure introduced Wednesday to 
the Chicago City Council by Ald. William Beavers (7th), a former 
police officer.

Most alderman publicly denounced the notion as evil incarnate, 
then privately said it wasn't so bad after all.

Still Mayor RIchard Daley didn't think much of it.

"I can't figure that out because if you can't smoke cigarettes at 
City Hall, should we allow people to smoke marijuana?" Daley 
joked.

The idea would decriminalize an already but decriminalized drug. 
Possession of small amounts of marijuana is not considered a big- 
time crime by state lawmakers. The offence is a Class C 
misdemeanor, with a conviction bringing a sentence of up to 30 
days in  jail and a $500 fine.

But with courts and jails crowded to the point that violent 
offenders are let out on bond the same day they are arrested, the 
penalties for possession 2.5 grams or less are usually court 
supervision and an admonishment by the judge.

Under Beavers' plan, those caught by police with 2.5 grams of 
marijuana or less would be ordered to pay the $250 fine by the 
city, rather than go through court and have a drug arrest on their 
record.

The measure would direct the police to file charges under the 
proposed city ordinance rather than the state law.

"Let's be realistic about what happens in court and on the 
street," Beavers said. "Pot smokers get slapped on the wrist, they 
clog up the court, and it costs a lot of money to taxpayers to get 
them in court. This way, the city gets some revenue, and they have 
to pay real hard cash, which hurts more than a slap on the wrist."

The Mayor, who is also the former Cook County state's attorney, 
didn't think the idea would work.

"I doubt it. I was a prosecutor," the mayor said. "They won't pay 
$250. You'd rather get a piece of paper rather than pay $250. The 
courts give you a probation, they don't give you a fine."

Some alderman said the political risks were too great and that 
their constituents would be angry that a negative message would be 
sent to their children.

"The people of the 11th Ward would oppose anything like that," 
said Ald. Patrick Hules (11th).

But several others weren't so opposed to Beavers' plan. Aldermen 
Mary Ann Smith (48th) and Richard Mell (33rd), among others, said 
they could support the concept if it would help decongest criminal 
court calls and focus police efforts on violent criminals.


What do you all think about this? I have some very mixed feelings about it.
I'm not sure if I should be happy or scared. On the one hand, it makes sense
to unclcog the courts, and keep people from getting bad grades on their
police records, but it scares to think of cops on the look out for a fast,
and quick $250 dollar bust, which I know I can't afford...think abouyt it, a
$250 dollar fine for something that at the most would cost $20-+ on the
street, and costs pennies in REAL worth to grow. Possession of marijuana
should be simply decriminalized, and dealt with by society the way it was
meant to be delt with...responsible drug use is not something that is
harmfull, to the individual, or to society. If they want to raise revenue,
why not tax it...its seems to me theres alot more money to be made with an
over-the-counter market, then an underground market.

One thing I know for sure, is that this is the perfect opportunity to focus
media and public attention at the core of the great marijuana debate. It
costs society more to try to keep marijuana illegal, than what it would cost
to have it decriminalized.
 
Theres my rant for the day...
 
Jon
























