Kansas City Marijuana Measure Lowers Fee, Axes Jail Time for Offenders

Kansas City used to consider marijuana possession a crime that can result in hundreds of dollars in fines and even time behind bars, but after a vote from residents Tuesday, that’s no longer the case.

After an overwhelming vote where nearly 75 percent of Kansas City, Missouri, voters approved the new measure, people caught with small amounts (35 grams or fewer) of marijuana will now only be hit with a $25 fine, and there is no jail time attached to that.

Statewide, the penalty for the same amount of marijuana is fines up to $500 and possible jail time.

The new law also applies to those found with marijuana-related paraphernalia, which used to result in charges, but won’t any longer.

Missouri recently eliminated jail time for offenders convicted of having less than 10 grams of marijuana in their possession. However, that revised law only applies to first-time offenders.

There are 29 states plus Washington, D.C., that have legalized marijuana, some for medicinal use and others for recreational use.

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