aston City Council is looking into whether to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Such an ordinance would make possession of less than 30 grams a summary offense – akin to a parking ticket – rather than a misdemeanor.
Ordinances to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana don’t make the drug legal, but they have turned most possession offenses into fines.
Typically, decriminalization also means no arrest, prison time or criminal record for the first-time possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal consumption, according to NORML, an organization working to legalize marijuana in the United States.
People don’t realize how serious misdemeanor possession can be, said Josh Fulmer, an attorney and chair of criminal rules for the Northampton County Bar Association.
Consequences could range from a student losing their student loans, to a six month suspension of your driver’s license, fines and jail time.
Six places in Pennsylvania already have similar laws on the book. They are:
- Erie
- York
- Harrisburg
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- State College
In Philadelphia, those possessing 30 grams or less are cited and fined $25. Those smoking in public are cited and fined $100, or made to perform community service.
credit:mcall.com