Measure K

Measure K is an ordinance put on the city of Santa Cruz's annual ballot on November 6, 2006. Its purpose was to give marijuana violations the lowest priority for local law enforcement. All other offenses besides adult-marijuana offenses were put to a higher priority as well. After winning with 63.88% of the vote, Measure K was put into action in December 2006.

Origin

Measure K was originally sponsored by the group, Santa Cruz Citizens for Sensible Marijuana Policy which was organized and led by Andrea Tischler.[1] It was also funded by Ohio insurance tycoon Peter B. Lewis who donated $70000 for the cause.[2] The year before the law was enacted 254 citations for possession or use of marijuana in amounts less than an ounce were given out.[3]

Effects of the Measure

“The citizens of the city of Santa Cruz have passed an initiative to deprioritize marijuana offenses and request that the federal and California state governments take immediate steps to tax and regulate marijuana use, cultivation, and distribution and to authorize state and local communities to do the same .”

Goals

To help Santa Cruz law enforcement focus their resources on high priority crimes such as murder and theft, and to save taxpayer's dollars on marijuana offense prosecutions.[5]

Pros

Cons

Oversight Committee

Measure K set up an oversight committee to oversee the actions implemented by Measure K. It is made up of seven volunteer residents of the city of Santa Cruz. The committee meets at 809 Center Street in the City Council Chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall.[8]

Oversight Committee Meetings Dates(as of Oct 18, 2011):

References

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