DALEY SUPPORTS PROPOSAL TO TICKET PEOPLE CAUGHT WITH MARIJUANA

CHICAGO -- Mayor Richard Daley is backing a proposal to ticket people with
small amounts of marijuana instead of prosecuting them in court.

Chicago Police Superintendent Philip Cline is considering the proposal,
made by an officer who was fed up with making minor drug arrests just to
watch as judges dropped the charges.

"Sometimes a fine is (better) than being thrown out of court," Daley said
Tuesday. "Thrown out of court means nothing. Many times the offenders don't
even show up anyway."

A mayoral spokesman said the proposal by officer Thomas Donegan is under
review.

In a letter sent to Cline, Donegan said if offenders were ticketed instead
of taken to court, the guilty findings would be easier and revenues would
be created.

According to Donegan, court records from last year indicate that 94 percent
of the 6,954 Chicago cases involving marijuana amounts smaller than 2.5
grams were dismissed, as were 81 percent of the cases involving from 2.5 to
10 grams.

Donegan said leveling fines of $250 for possession of 10 grams or less
would have raised about $5 million for the city's coffers in 2003.

Fines could create an incentive for officers to become more aggressive in
arresting pot smokers, said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of The Drug
Policy Alliance, a nonprofit group that promotes alternatives including the
legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.

Nadelmann said the proposal would put a large burden on the young and poor
likely to get hit with most of the tickets.