The Clarksville metropolis council voted Thursday evening in assist of decriminalization of easy possession of marijuana, including assist of medicinal reasonings.
The decriminalization decision, sponsored by Trisha Butler, handed 9-1 with three abstentions. The “no” vote got here from Mayor Joe Pitts, whereas the three abstained votes had been from Wallace Redd, Travis Holleman and Stacey Streetman.
The decision will request Tennessee Basic Meeting to go laws to decriminalize easy possession or informal change of marijuana for private use.
Throughout the assembly, a number of sections of the resolutions had been eliminated earlier than the vote. Earlier than elimination, the preliminary model stated that easy possession or informal change of marijuana for private use, “must be the bottom enforcement precedence,” for Clarksville Police Division.
Additionally acknowledged: the district lawyer ought to take an, “lively stance or place of not prosecuting individuals for easy possession or informal change of marijuana for private use.”
The amended decision provides verbiage to assist legalization for medicinal components.
Butler informed The Leaf-Chronicle that although she is a proponent of full legalization of marijuana, there isn’t a a part of the resolutions asking for that.
The amended decision states that town council finds that medical hashish has been confirmed to be efficient in assuaging uncomfortable side effects and signs from a variety of situations and sickness. Some together with chemotherapy, PTSD, seizures and extra, the decision states.
“It is for the nice of the folks. It is individuals who want this for drugs,” Butler stated.
Typically, Butler additionally talked about how minorities are inordinately focused and incarcerated for marijuana.
The decision states that town council discovered information from the American Civil Liberties Union displaying marijuana utilization is, “roughly equal amongst whites and Blacks in the US, however Blacks are 3.64 instances extra more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as whites.”
In Tennessee, possession of half an oz of marijuana or much less is a misdemeanor.
“I need this (legislative) physique to ship ahead a decision that our majority is pleased with,” Butler stated.
Councilpersons who returned abstained votes for the decision acknowledged that it must be mentioned with Tennessee lawmakers personally, not by laws. Additionally, Redd acknowledged there may very well be a battle of curiosity on town council if any members personal associated inventory.
“We have now that capability to achieve out to them (state representatives) and allow them to know our opinions or what we really feel that they should do on a state degree,” Streetman stated.
“We have to deal with what we want right here in Clarksville,” she stated. “We must be utilizing this time, effort and power doing what we have to repair the problems we have now affecting us proper right here in Clarksville.”
Alexis Clark could be reached at [email protected] or 931-217-8519.
