Discussion on marijuana possession taking place in Iowa City now

[Skidmore]

is very interesting.

http://www.dailyiowan.com/media/paper599/news/2006/02/09/Metro/Sheriff.Pushes.Detox.Over.Jail-1605447.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.dailyiowan.com

Sheriff pushes detox over jail
By: Rebecca McKanna - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/9/06 Section: Metro
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1

Students found stumbling home after a long night sampling the Pedestrian Mall's liquid offerings or those with an affinity for grass of the herbal variety have a new friend - and his name is Lonny Pulkrabek.

Overcrowded jails and tight budgets are part of the reason the Johnson County sheriff told state lawmakers on Wednesday that people found intoxicated in public or with small amounts of marijuana should not face jail time.

People found publicly intoxicated but not causing any disturbance should, instead, spend the night in a detox center and leave with a warning the next morning rather than spending the night in jail, he said. Although there is not currently a detox center in Johnson County, there was discussion about creating such a facility roughly three years ago.

Pulkrabek also said people with small amounts of marijuana should receive simple misdemeanors instead of the serious brand.


Reply today from DA:



http://www.presscitizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/NEWS01/602100311/1079

Friday, February 10, 2006
White responds to marijuana ideas
County attorney: Reducing penalties would send wrong message
By Brian Morelli
Iowa City Press-Citizen

J. Patrick White


Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White said Thursday reducing penalties for marijuana would send people the wrong message.

His comments were in response to two of county Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek's recommendations to a legislative sentencing reform panel Wednesday. Pulkrabek suggested decreasing the penalty for small amounts of marijuana from a serious to a simple misdemeanor and a locked detoxification center for those charged with public intoxication. The effect would be a cite-and-release policy and would help alleviate jail crowding, Pulkrabek said.

"I don't agree with Lonny's apparent position on marijuana," White said. "I think (changing marijuana laws) sends exactly the wrong message. We've spent years telling people not to get into the drug culture."

White said he recommends that officers arrest and book for indictable level offenses, and that while a detoxification center is a good idea, it is not financially feasible.

[porphyrian]

1. "We've spent years telling people not to get into the drug culture."

And they've been so effective in doing so, too. :eyes:


If the "drug war" were a horse in a race, no one would bet on it.

[Ezlivin]

2. I'm shocked! I thought that our Drug War had eradicated marijuana

After 30 years and over $60,000,000,000, you mean our Drug War hasn't wiped out drugs? I'm shocked, I tell you.

Since it's not worked so well, the only solution must be more funding and more draconian sentencing. It's the only answer. All other discussions are simply aiding and comforting our drug-addled enemies.

[Skidmore]

4. Actually, I was hoping someone would read the full articles.

This new sheriff seems to understand that having to build larger jails to house kids who are drunk or high is not the solution. He is actually requesting detox here, something that hasn't existed. I think the law enforcement in this town primarily supports itself on drunken college students. He is also suggesting that he be able to ticket people versus creating a criminal record they leave with. I'd much rather have someone get a ticket and spend a night in detox for such an offense and have law enforcement focus on taking down the meth labs.

[Ezlivin]

6. I agree 100% with what the sheriff said

My post should have perhaps contained a sarcasm marker.

I'm all for the ending of the Drug War and have been politically active in that area for over 8 years now.

[LincolnMcGrath]

11. I read it in the QC times yesterday.

Sad that a couple of republican ex-policeman are the only ones to admit things need changed. In fairness, maybe no Dems were questioned by the reporter.

I have been pushing for saner drug policy for years, and my state Rep and Senator seem to be warm to the idea. This issue, much like the screwed up sex offender law, are TOO HOT for any politician to touch right now.

[janx]

16. I agree, Skidmore. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

3. smoke a joint and spend the night in DE-TOX?

????

seems a bit extreme.

[SOS]

5. Notice

that the Sheriff, who deals with the reality on the street every day, offers sensible alternative ideas.
The political hack, tucked away in his office and always looking to advance his own career, prefers the failed status quo.

The DA also makes no distinctions in his use of the phrase "drug culture", as if meth and cannabis were identical substances.
And why can the city afford jail cells but not a detox?

[Skidmore]

9. The city can't.

The arrests of drunken and high kids has necessitated the builing of a fairly large facility for a community of only 60k. They need to build another to house them adequately, particularly on the weekends. Property taxes are getting pretty high for this area and downtown businesses are basically bars and eateries. Walmart and a big mall in Coralville have pretty well sucked businesses away from down town. The UI is taking over part of the downtown mall to house three of its department in temporarily during some renovations. Something needs to give.

[janx]

15. I was back there for a conference a few years ago,

and I couldn't believe what Coralville looked like. I would not have recognized the place at all.

[Skidmore]

19. If Coralville hadn't drowned in the flood of 93, it would still

be a sleepy little village. Now it's shopping hell.

[SnowGoose]

17. "downtown businesses are basically bars and eateries"

And bookstores! As long as the deadwood is still there, the earth will keep spinning.

Man, I miss Iowa City ~ my only consolation is living in Ann Arbor.

[janx]

7. The culture of Iowa City hasn't changed much

in 25 years!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Oh God, thanks for the laugh!

[Skidmore]

12. Hey, it has a reputation to maintain.

[janx]

13. I was there in the late 70s...

:rofl:

I probably helped to create it! :rofl:

[Skidmore]

20. Downtown in the 70s used to be some old established

retail outlets, some fine restaurants, and rows of temporary buildings while they built the downtown mall. What was in the temp buildings? Head shops all.

[Joe Fields]

8. Let's just legalize it and regulate.

On one hand, I am glad that there is movement in the right direction. On the other hand, it riminds me somewhat of the riverboat gambling issue several yaers back. Just legalize it and move on.

[Skidmore]

10. My husband has always said that the government

made it illegal because it couldn't find a way to control and tax ditchweed.

[janx]

14. !!!!!!!!!!!

:rofl:

I dunno--we had stuff that was better than THAT in 1978...But I think most of it was still coming from Mexico.

[Joe Fields]

18. I wrote an article over a year ago that explains why pot is illegal

It wasn't until the late 1930's when a machine was invented to pull the fibers of the hemp plant, thus threatening the lumber, textile and oil industries. That's when the demonization and the subsequent prohibition of the plant occurred.