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Alfred Spellman, the Miami auteur behind the hit documentaries
"Cocaine Cowboys" and "The U," is supporting a grassroots movement to
help ease the marijuana laws on Miami Beach.
Spellman, 31, has thrown his
support behind a petition that would amend the city charter to allow
cops to issue a monetary fine if someone is caught with a nominal amount
of weed.
Supporters of
decriminalization laws argue that they allow law enforcement to focus on
putting more dangerous criminals behind bars.
"[It's about] reshuffling
priorities," Spellman said by phone Wednesday. "This is not where we
should be focusing."
Rather than face criminal
misdemeanor charges, someone caught with less than 20 grams would only
receive a $100 civil fine under the proposed change. The petition is the
brainchild of Ford Banister, chairman of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana
Policy.
"Marijuana prohibition is a
long-term failure," said Banister. "Marijuana is more available and more
prevalent than ever...these laws protect no one."
Spellman decided to get
involved in the petition while working on his next documentary, "Square
Grouper," which profiles South Florida pot smugglers in the 1970s.
Spellman's studio, rakontur,
is supporting the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy
with a grant.
He said he was intrigued by
the story of Robert Platshorn, who was busted in 1979 for
smuggling 100,000 pounds of marijuana. He was sentenced to 64 years in
prison, but was released in 2008 after nearly 30 years behind bars.
The 65-year-old Platshorn,
like Banister, is involved in decriminalization efforts across the
country.
Banister needs 4,240
signatures from Miami Beach residents on his petition by the
end of August to get it on the ballot in November. Members of Committee
for Sensible Marijuana Policy will be at Miami Beach City Hall at 7
p.m. Wednesday to collect signatures.
After just a weekend,
Banister said his group already has about 100 signatures, and will be
canvassing for more throughout the summer. He expects to have more than
needed by the August deadline.
Spellman said "Square
Grouper" is due out in the fall. |
