Legalized or medicinal marijuana may be a state issue, but it could play a small, supporting role in 
some municipal elections in the 305 after local police agencies have suggested fines instead of arrests for possession of a small, personal amount.
Last week, the Miami-Dade Police and Miami Beach Police departments suggested fining people found with small amounts of pot rather than forcing them to face criminal charges that usually do not stick.
It didn’t take long for a candidate to seek that stoner voter bloc.
Javier Gonzalez — one of nine-and-counting candidates fighting 
for the Miami commission seat vacated by termed-out Marc Sarnoff in District 2 — sent a press release Tuesday in favor of the new policy, now proposed by Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman at the suggestion of the brass.
“As city commissioner, I’ll be a strong advocate of sensible marijuana policy and work to make sure police officers use their resources to protect our city from those who truly threaten public safety,” said Gonzalez, who was elected to the Grove Village Council is 2013 and just resigned as chairman to run for office.
He is running against a slew of candidates, including the commissioner’s wife and perceived front runner, Teresa Sarnoff.
“I urge local policymakers to support this measure and work with the Miami-Dade Police Department to ensure that – when it comes to individuals who engage in victimless, private marijuana use – our values are reflected in our response.”
Gonzalez called it “a strong step in favor of sensible marijuana policy,” and applauded Miami-Dade Police “for recognizing that individuals should not be thrown in jail simply for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
“Draconian marijuana laws disproportionately impact minority and indigent communities. I support meaningful marijuana policy reform because I believe all citizens ought to be treated equally under the law,” said Gonzalez.
Read related post: Poll indicates support is high for Florida medical marijuana
Seems like he would go further. And the answer is yes. “This is a step to create more acceptance and to get 
medical marijuana going,” Gonzalez told Ladra Wednesday. And if decriminalizing it altogether comes next, so be it, he said.
“That’s beyond our scope. I would agree with it, but we’re not there yet.”
Maybe the a real estate agent wants to sell some properties as grow houses. Or maybe he’s just like the majority of Americans who, according to Gallup polls year after year, think that pot should be legalized.
Ladra expects it to become an issue on Miami Beach also and — who knows? — it’s something that could extend into 2016. By then, a new medical marijuana initiative will likely be on the ballot.
Toker vote play? Marijuana debate enters local election added by Ladra on
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