“…eliminate pre-employment marijuana testing…” -Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City
We Love Mayor Lucas. And yes, we are a politically conscious magazine.
We were here to feature Pastor, then, the first black Kansas City Mayor Cleaver (now, Congressman Cleaver), as well as, Mayor Kaye Barnes, the first female Kansas City Mayor.
Let’s not forget that Mayor Lucas, issued pardons for weed convictions, some of which were in jail for simple, small amounts, and even for carrying a couple of joints. Lucas also waived the ‘pardon application’ fee, and then, put the process online. That pretty much cured those in current cases. This was epic for Black Kansas City.
Here’s the throwback: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article240411431.html
Now, this is what our Mayor just did…
“Working to eliminate pre-employment marijuana testing from the City application process is one of several common-sense steps I’m proud my administration has taken to build an inclusive City workforce and ensure employment opportunities exist for more Kansas Citians — particularly for hourly workers who disproportionally come from Kansas City’s Black or brown communities…
…Kansas City government should not freeze qualified individuals out from government jobs due to marijuana usage, especially with medicinal marijuana legalized in Missouri and recreational marijuana legalized in surrounding states.”
–Quinton Lucas, Mayor, Kansas City Lucas said in a statement.
Please be advised: The new ‘weed waver’ is not final, so DO NOT roll-one-up at city hall –yet, and it will not apply to every position –of course, but he stated his position and it was referred to the city’s Special Committee for Legal Review for hearings.
But, Mayor Lucas has buy-in from some in local law enforcement as well.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker stepped up for us by recommending that (listen to this) “…The Kansas City Police Department, stop recommending low-level drug infractions to her office for prosecution.”
