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Springfield marijuana petition short on signatures

marijuana
LancerenoK
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Flickr

Supporters of a petition to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in Springfield are running out of time to collect enough signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.

The city clerk's office says petition organizers need another 649 signatures before the initiative can go before the city council. They have until Aug. 7 to collect those signatures.

Petition organizer Maranda Reynolds says the group, Show-Me Cannabis, still hopes to have the issue before the council at its Aug. 13 meeting.

The Springfield News-Leader reports the petition would reduce the penalty for having 35 grams or less of marijuana, to a fine, community service or counseling.

The city council can vote the initiative into law or to put it on the November ballot.

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