CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The question of misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession in the City of Charleston won’t be on the general election ballot.
Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said Monday the citizens group that collected signatures didn’t have enough signatures to force a vote.
“State code requires that there be 10% of all qualified voters, they had 10% of those who did vote,” Goodwin said.
Approximately 1,800 signatures were gathered, the group needed 3,300, Goodwin said during an appearance Monday on 580Live with Dave Allen.
Goodwin said some of the issues the group is pushing for are still under discussion and could end up in a possible city ordinance.
Goodwin said city police currently do not put people in jail for simple possession of marijuana but the wording remains in the code.
“We’re going to work on some questions that we have in the community. Why is it a jailable offense? It shouldn’t be,” Goodwin said.
The proposed ordinance is currently in the possession of the city council’s Rules & Ordinance Committee.