WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A group that wants to lower fines for marijuana possession in Wichita says it has collected enough signatures on petitions to put the issue to a public vote in April. Esau Freeman, leader of Kansas for Change, says the group plans to present the petitions to election officials next week. The same group was a few signatures short on its first effort to get the issue on the ballot in November. The Wichita Eagle reports that if the signatures are approved, Wichita residents would vote April 7 on a proposal to impose a $50 fine for first-offense marijuana possession. It would be enforced with a summons or citation rather than an arrest. The conviction would be expunged if an offender has no further legal problems for a year.
Wichita Group Wants Softer Penalties for Marijuana Use; Submits New Petitions for Public Vote
