Canna ChroniclePinellas County Commissioner’s Agree to Hear Marijuana Decriminalization
By Christopher Cano | Executive Director, Central Florida NORML
Last month the City of St. Petersburg entertained the idea of civil citations for marijuana
decriminalization at the behest of Councilman Steve Kornell. Pinellas County was used most
recently as a national example of how marijuana arrest have serious racial disparities. Pinellas
County Commissioner Ken Welch introduced the subject during the final commission meeting
of 2015. Welch said the request stems from concerns that there are more arrests of minorities
and arrests made in certain areas of the county for marijuana possession. He is interested in
exploring alternatives and the possibility of a countywide ordinance that would address these
concerns. “There’s a disparity,” Welch said. “We need to do something about it.”
Other members of the Pinellas Commission are receptive to the idea. Commissioner
Dave Eggers said he would like more information and Commissioner Karen Seel suggests
scheduling a workshop. Pinellas Clerk of the Court Ken Burke says that other Florida Counties
such as Leon and Hernando are talking about the use of civil citations for minor possession
charges. He has suggested forming a small task force to explore the alternatives and include
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and State Attorney Bernie McCabe on it. Sheriffs in Florida have not been
open to marijuana legalization. The Florida Sheriffs Association was a leading voice against
2014’s Medical Marijuana Amendment sponsored by United for Care.
Tampa City Council is set to discuss this same issue on February 18th. Unfortunately,
Chair of Pinellas County Commission, Charlie Justice, said he would be “happy to do a
workshop,” but that the January and February workshop schedule was full. Therefore, this
spring will be the most crucial time for cannabis activists to fill city hall and county chambers
alike.
By Christopher Cano, Canna-Chronicle Staff Writer, Executive Director-Central Florida NORML