Friday, July 22, 2011

Marijuana Decriminalization in Miami Beach


In the midst of a pill mill media frenzy, Florida could be getting some good news on the drug front—marijuana decriminalization.

According to the Miami New Times, a Miami Beach pot legalization group known as Sensible Florida collected 9,000 signatures for a measure that would let smokers off with a $100 fine instead of jail time.  That’s double the number of sigs needed to get the measure on the ballot.  While this is not Florida’s first attempt at decriminalization, it is the first to draw high-profile celebrity support and aggressive local campaigning.  (Among its public supporters are Alfred Spellman and Billy Corben, director and producer of the hit documentary Cocaine Cowboys). 

While full-on legalization is the ultimate goal, any change involving more sensible drug laws is a step in the right direction.  A change we can breathe in. 

UPDATE:  The Miami Beach City Commission has refused to place the issue on the November ballot, citing the law's possible "unconstitutionality".  If at least 4,300 of the signatures are verified, a citywide vote could take place to pass or fail the new law.  The question is, when? 

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