the finalized request for city council: Our groups (CommonsenseNOLA, Sensible Marijuana Policy Louisiana, Louisianans For Sensible Reform, Students For Sensible Drug Policy Tulane and LSU and Louisiana NORML) have requested that the New Orleans City Council request data on how ordinance 28246 has been implemented since its inception in 2010. We request data from last ten years so that we have an accurate sample of data both before and after the ordinance was enacted. The NOPD uses software known as Omega Crime View, so the request should not place a burden on the NOPD. We appreciate that the Council has shown interest in seeing how the ordinance has been implemented and the effects on the citizens of New Orleans. The data requests are (all requests are asked to be broken down by location, age, race and gender): •The number of arrests for simple marijuana possession, including first, second and subsequent arrests (NOPD) •The number of summons issued for simple possession of marijuana (NOPD) •The number of those arrested for marijuana paraphernalia (NOPD) •The number of felony marijuana possession cases prosecuted and conviction rate (District Attorney Office) •The number of citizens who cannot pay fines associated with summons and subsequently incarcerated due to said failure (Municipal Court) •The number of marijuana offenders who fail in diversion programs (Sheriff’s Office) In an era of severe budgetary restraints we must continue to assure the citizens that the criminal justice system is maximizing the resources at its disposal. The ongoing budgetary issues, NOPD manpower issues and violent crime are a top priority of its citizens. When trying to scale down the size, scope and expense of operating a new modern criminal justice system we look at marijuana reform as a great place to limit the number of citizens entering the criminal justice system and the life altering experience that has on otherwise law abiding citizens. We are working with others to see how the City Charter may allow New Orleans to pursue a tax and regulate model here in the City. With implementing the consent decrees for NOPD and Orleans Parish Prison as well as the city shoring up its responsibilities to the City’s Firefighters Pension Fund pursuing a tax and regulate model could provide the $40 million annual shortfall the City faces with these necessary expenditures( including a higher sales taxes, revenue from Canna-Tourism, increased hotel/motel taxes and plans to place marijuana businesses in areas such as Lightly Industrialized Zones-increasing property tax revenue). We will get a more detailed plan on that to you very shortly. Respectfully, -- Kevin Caldwell Executive Director CommonsenseNOLA
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:34:56 +0000
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