State pot smoking bill gets City Commission support

BY PRU SOWERS

NEWS WRITER

It’s not often that Key West city commissioners agree on something. In fact, the commissioners produce their share – more than their share, some would argue – of disagreements and bickering. But on Tuesday, April 1, in an overwhelming show of solidarity, they passed a resolution supporting a state bill allowing recreational use of marijuana.

It wasn’t quite unanimous. Commissioner Teri Johnston voted against the measure, saying she had no idea what her 4,000 or so constituents thought about legalizing pot smoking. As such, she said she couldn’t use her vote to represent them. And she wasn’t saying what she personally thought about the resolution.

But her colleagues were enthusiastic about the idea of legalizing pot smoking in Key West. Commissioner Tony Yaniz said it was “hypocritical” to allow alcohol consumption but not marijuana. He blamed that on the “alcohol lobby” before making an interesting proposal to his often embattled board members.

“If it is legalized, I propose everyone on the dais meet in the back room, smoke a few joints before our meetings and chill out,” he said.

That drew a round of applause from the audienc

As for Johnston, she “fully supported” her constituents contacting state representatives to give their opinion on the measure, which would allow possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and the right to grow up to six plants.

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