Ballot issue invites look at marijuana use in Wichita

How often do people get arrested for marijuana? Who gets arrested? And are they accused of other crimes as well?

Those are some of the things we wondered as Wichitans prepare to vote April 7 on a proposal that would lessen first-time penalties for adults caught with an ounce or less of marijuana.

The future of the proposal is unclear, even if voters pass it. State officials have already said they will challenge it in court since it conflicts with state law.

But we can learn some things from what is happening with marijuana in Wichita now, based on data from the Wichita Police Department, Wichita Municipal Court and Sedgwick County District Court.

Here are key findings:

▪ Charges for first-time marijuana possession in Wichita Municipal Court have dropped nearly 40 percent – from 912 to 558 – from 2010 to 2014.

▪ A disproportionate number of first-time marijuana...

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