Earlier this morning, the Philadelphia City Council passed a bill decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Despite debating with Mayor Michael Nutter for several months, the council passed the bill by a lopsided 14-2 vote.
The bill, which will go into law in October, would slap citizens found in possession of less than thirty grams with a $25 fine, reports ABC correspondent Vernon Odom. Additionally, persons caught puffing the magic dragon in public will be sentenced either to nine hours of community service or be fined $100. Neither charge would result in a criminal record.
Just after passing the bill, City Councilman James Kenney made the following comment:
“To put people in a situation where they can’t get a job, can’t keep a job, can’t get financial aid for college, can’t join the military – over three joints in their pocket? It’s ridiculous. It’s a misuse of our police manpower.”
There were more than 4,000 arrests of individuals possessing small amounts of marijuana in Philadelphia last year, and this bill’s main aim appears to refocus police efforts on dealing with violent crime. Regardless, based on the city’s new laid-back attitude toward the drug, it looks like it won’t always be sunny in Philadelphia anymore.