Missoula, MT: Missoula county election officials confirmed last week that a municipal initiative that seeks to make marijuana law enforcement the city’s “lowest priority” has been certified to appear on the November 2006 ballot.
Sponsored by Citizens for Responsible Crime Policy, Initiative 2 directs municipal police to make activities related to the investigation, citation, and/or arrest of adult cannabis users their lowest priority. It would also appoint a Community Oversight Committee to monitor police activity as it pertains to marijuana law enforcement. Seattle voters passed a similar proposal in 2003, which has led to a 75 percent reduction in citywide marijuana arrests.
Voters in Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and Santa Cruz, California will decide on similar “deprioitization” initiatives this fall.
For more information, please visit: responsiblecrimepolicy.org.