Kalamazoo group wants to change how law enforcement views marijuana..

[Pookie44]

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A local marijuana reform group wants to change how law enforcement in Kalamazoo views pot.

The group is looking to gather about 2,800 signatures - 5 percent of registered voters in Kalamazoo - then city commissioners can either adopt the amendment to the city charter, or put the issue in front of voters. The amendment would not change any laws, just how police in Kalamazoo enforce those laws.

“They saw a marijuana joint, which I call it my medicine,” said David Rodriguez.

Rodriguez's medicine was enough for him to face arrest in Kalamazoo.

“Just a joint, you know, weighs less than a cigarette actually,” said Rodriguez.

Newschannel 3 met Rodriguez outside a support group for medical marijuana users. His lawyer says Rodriguez is just one of many in Kalamazoo that would benefit from the amendment to the city's charter.

“That's what we're looking for, a reduction of arrests,” said defense attorney John Targowski.

Targowski advised the Kalamazoo Coalition for Pragmatic Cannabis Laws on its new petition.

He says the coalition will begin gathering petition signatures in the next few weeks. If the city clerk certifies enough of them, city commissioners could either adopt the measure or put it up for a Kalamazoo-wide vote. The deadline to have the issue in front of voters in November's general election is mid-August.


“This does not legalize anything,” said Targowski. “Marijuana will be as illegal the day after this takes effect as the day before it takes effect.”

However, if the group gets their amendment passed, for anyone 21 or older, use or possession of less than an ounce of marijuana would become the lowest law enforcement priority. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety would also have to file with the city manager every year a written report of how many adults officers cited or arrested for marijuana offenses. The proposed amendment also makes that report a public record. Targowski says that could provide a valuable year-to-year comparison of marijuana enforcement.

The charter amendment would not apply to marijuana use on public property, or while driving a car, but inside a home, where Rodriguez says his joint was, it could keep marijuana users out of court. Supporters say the amendment would save taxpayer money by limiting police investigations of small-scale possession and allow for responsible recreational use of the drug.

“We want it to be explicitly the lowest priority,” said Targowski.

“Hopefully this will help other people like me that need this,” said Rodriguez.

Kalamazoo County's prosecutor has said that marijuana possession is already a lesser offense, and typically those caught also face other charges.

Do you think marijuana should be less of a priority for law enforcement?

[Switchback]

Yeah, asking the opinion of this group on the legalities of marijuana is like asking the opinions pedophiles of their opinions of the age of consent.

[BJJVad]

Yeah, asking the opinion of this group on the legalities of marijuana is like asking the opinions pedophiles of their opinions of the age of consent.

LOL..

Everytime I hear someone call marijuana "medicine", I wanna smack them. Alcohol numbs pain. You don't hear me saying, "Hey Barkeep, can I get another shot of my medicine?".

[kels]

Hey man, its only "weed". (Sorry couldnt help myself)

[viperphi]

Marijuana is already pretty low on my list of priorities. It is a minor misdemeanor offense here, the equivalent of a traffic citation for running a red light. The only kicker is it comes with an automatic in-state drug suspension of their license. So if they are already indefinitely suspended, pfft to that paperwork that will go no where now.

I don't stop cars hoping to find marijuana. It's more like "damn it, just weed". But if I find it, I deal with it. But a priority? This group must be snowed if they think it's a high priority. An ounce is a nice sized bag too. How much do you really need to keep on your person? Or in your car?

Then what happens when Joe Crackhead needs his medicine?

[Cat_Doc]

We need to open a Munchies Time home delivery business in Kalamazoo and campaign vigorously for the amendment. This could be the business opportunity we have all been searching for.

[Cat_Doc]

The menu should be very simple, maybe like the animal symbols painted on school buses so the kids know they ride on the "Bunny" bus.

For example:

Teddy Bear; Two bags of Cheetos, Two Cokes and one 12" pepperoni pizza.

Blue Jay; Four Cokes, two 12" pizzas and four bags of chips.

[viperphi]

Stoner movies will always be playing there. You can see Super Troopers in theatres 24 hours a day!

[Cat_Doc]

Stoner movies will always be playing there. You can see Super Troopers in theatres 24 hours a day!

Yeppers, but they have to leave the house to go to the theatre. How about an addition of Stoner movies available for home delivery with the munchies? Think Global, Viper.

[viperphi]

I am only capable of thinking on the scale of about 7 minutes from my house. From here to the station.

[ChevySSP]

Here we go again with the whole "legalize marijuana" debate again.

I just don't understand people. We already have people dying over the stuff and people want to make it legal.

[Curt581]

Here we go again with the whole "legalize marijuana" debate again.

I just don't understand people. We already have people dying over the stuff and people want to make it legal.

That's not what the petition is about. This isn't about legalization. The attorney even says, "This does not legalize anything,” said Targowski. “Marijuana will be as illegal the day after this takes effect as the day before it takes effect.”

They know they'll never get legal weed, if the question were to be put to a public referendum. They just want the cops to stop arresting people for it... in other words, they want us to stop doing our job as it applies to their issue.

Something I aways find strange is that THC has been available in pill form for quite some time. Why can't those who legitimately need it get a prescription for the pills? Why do these advocates insist that marijuama be smoked?

All this is trying to do is add an element of "degree" or "gray area" to a simple issue. Either marijuana is illegal or it's not. This just wants us to say "well, having a little bit is okay", without ever defining what "a little bit" or "personal use amount" means. It's nothing but a getting a foot in the door. First its a joint. Then its a little bag. Then its a its a little window sill plant. Pretty soon, they get us to stop enforcing it at all... and that's effectively legalization.

[cntryboy0531]

The more and more I hear dumbsh1t like this, the more I want to move to Montana, buy a ranch, become self sufficient, and toss up a sign on the front gate saying "Tresspassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again".

There will be plenty of people to support it, and with a liberal state like Michigan, it wouldn't surprise me if it passed. Maybe legalization of Mary Jane would be Darwinism at work.. They'd smoke themselves into a puddle of their former selves, unable to reproduce or do anything other than mumble to each other. They'd die off, and the strongest would be left to roam the earth.

[ChevySSP]

Thats the point. It is an attempt to put the foot in the door into marijuana legalization. So you don't outright say its legal, but you basically allow it to be.

I say MJ is illegal, should stay illegal, and if anyone has a problem with that or wants to smoke dope go to Canada.

[Cat_Doc]

Does this mean you guys don't want to be buy-in partners of Munchies Time?