FYI.... that's crazy unexpected....
Kansas City ordinance decriminalizing marijuana passes council committee
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said an ordinance removing marijuana prosecution and penalties passed in committee Wednesday morning.
Lucas said the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee passed the ordinance, which was proposed last week, on a 4-2 vote. The ordinance will be now considered by the full City Council on July 9. Lucas said he believes the ordinance will pass when voted on by the full council.
"One of the ways we improve police-community relations is by eliminating laws that for too long have led to negative interactions, arrests, convictions, and disproportionate rates of incarceration of black men and black women,” Lucas said.
“Reducing petty offenses – such as municipal marijuana offenses – reduce these negative interactions each day.”
Missouri voters approved the use of medical marijuana in 2018, clearing the way for additional reform, according to Fifth District Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw.
The mayor's office said public opinion surrounding marijuana use has changed dramatically recently. Kansas City voters chose to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in 2017, instead choosing to impose a $25 fine for amounts of 35 grams or less.
“State and federal law remain clear with marijuana,” Lucas said. "The city doesn’t need to be in that business; instead, we remain focused on how we can help open doors to new opportunities and empower people to make a decent living."