Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Newark - Newark voters will have a chance this fall to eliminate fines and jail time for possession of small amounts of marijuana, according to the Licking County Board of Elections.
The East Central Ohio Decriminalization Initiative collected 1,107 valid signatures - 44 more than needed - to send the measure to the voters. The group collected 2,044 signatures, 921 of them were invalid.
Newark's laws on possession of small amounts of marijuana differ from the state laws. The state reduced the penalties for marijuana possession several years ago to a fine of $150 and no jail time for possession of less than 100 grams or paraphernalia. In Newark, the same violation carries a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail for marijuana possession, and a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail for possession of paraphernalia.
The group's proposal would make possession of less than 200 grams of marijuana a minor misdemeanor carrying no fine or jail time.
Licking County Municipal Court Judge Michael Higgins recently wrote a letter to the Newark City Council making them aware of the differences between city and state laws.
Higgins wrote two people standing on the Courthouse Square could be arrested for the same possession of marijuana and paraphernalia offenses, but face very different penalties. The one cited by a sheriff's deputy would face $300 in fines and no jail time, while the one arrested by a city police officer could be slapped with a $750 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Decriminalization Heads To Newark Ballot
Author: Maria DeVito
Contact: 740-345-4053
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Newark Advocate
The East Central Ohio Decriminalization Initiative collected 1,107 valid signatures - 44 more than needed - to send the measure to the voters. The group collected 2,044 signatures, 921 of them were invalid.
Newark's laws on possession of small amounts of marijuana differ from the state laws. The state reduced the penalties for marijuana possession several years ago to a fine of $150 and no jail time for possession of less than 100 grams or paraphernalia. In Newark, the same violation carries a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail for marijuana possession, and a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail for possession of paraphernalia.
The group's proposal would make possession of less than 200 grams of marijuana a minor misdemeanor carrying no fine or jail time.
Licking County Municipal Court Judge Michael Higgins recently wrote a letter to the Newark City Council making them aware of the differences between city and state laws.
Higgins wrote two people standing on the Courthouse Square could be arrested for the same possession of marijuana and paraphernalia offenses, but face very different penalties. The one cited by a sheriff's deputy would face $300 in fines and no jail time, while the one arrested by a city police officer could be slapped with a $750 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Decriminalization Heads To Newark Ballot
Author: Maria DeVito
Contact: 740-345-4053
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Newark Advocate
