Talking Politics: The Conflict between City, State and Federal Laws

In this week's Talking Politics we tackle the difficult and commonly misunderstood interaction between city, state and federal laws.  Ginny Chadwick voted against an ordinance that would have decriminalized the cultivation of marijuana plants at a city council meeting in October after saying she would vote for the measure during her campaign.

Chadwick says she changed her vote because it would have converted a felony into a misdemeanor, which she does not believe the city has the legal authority to do.

Dan Viets says that assessment is wrong and the city can and should have passed the ordinance, which would have lowered the penalty for cultivating marijuana in Columbia.  Randy England, a lawyer from Jefferson City who was not involved with the ordinance, agrees with Viets' assessment.

Chadwick's vote on this ordinance prompted several citizens of her ward to begin a recall campaign. Eapen Thampy tells us why they launched the effort.  Due to time constraints, Jake Loft's comments were not included in the episode. However, he details what they have done so far in their effort to recall Councilwoman Chadwick in the interview below.

Dan Viets - Full Interview

Ginny Chadwick - Full Interview    

 Eapen Thampy and Jake Loft - Full Interview