SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – Springfield officials have certified the signatures on a petition that seeks to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in the city.

Springfield City Clerk Brenda Cirtin says the petition was certified Thursday after the office determined petition organizers had collected the 2,101 signatures needed for certification.

The Springfield News-Leader reports the petition would reduce the penalty for having 35 grams or less of marijuana, to a fine, community service or counseling.

Organizer Maranda Reynolds and the Show-Me Cannabis group, which developed the petition, had until Aug. 7 to submit enough signatures to get the issue on the City Council’s Aug. 13 meeting agenda.

The council can pass the initiative or it can place it on the November ballot.

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