State ramps up pressure against Wichita marijuana initiative

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Some lawmakers and state officials tried on Friday to rally opposition to a Wichita ballot initiative believed to be the first in Kansas that seeks to ease penalties for first-time possession of small amounts of marijuana.

A handful of legislators were joined by top state officials at a news conference to say the city has no legal authority to adopt an ordinance that conflicts with state law — even if voters approve the ballot initiative during Tuesday's local election.

"This is an illegal petition and an illegal referendum," said state Rep. Steve Brunk, a Republican lawmaker from Wichita.

The ballot measure does not attempt to legalize marijuana. It proposes to makes first-time possession a criminal infraction with a $50 fine in Wichita. Under state law, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and a year in jail.

Opponents cited a March...

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http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/State-ramps-up-pressure-against-Wichita-marijuana-6177955.php