Beginning on Oct. 20, possession of less than an ounce of weed in Philadelphia will land you a fine cheaper than a parking ticket — $25 .
Mayor Michael Nutter signed City Councilman Jim Kenney’s marijuana decriminalization bill on Wednesday, making the bill law. The bill passed the Philadelphia City Council 14–2 on Sept. 18 .
Under the new law, a person stopped with less than 30 grams of marijuana will only have to pay a $25 fine, and the offense will not go on the person’s criminal record. Public consumption of marijuana will result in a $100 fine and mandatory community service.
“Decriminalizing means you will not be treated as a criminal for possessing small amounts of marijuana,” Nutter said at the signing. “You will not be arrested and put in jail.”
Both Nutter and Kenney have cited racial disparities as a major factor leading to Philadelphia’s new drug policy. In 2013, Philadelphia police arrested 4,336 people for marijuana possession. Eighty-six percent of those arrested were black.
However, Nutter still expressed concern and caution regarding marijuana use.
“As I’ve said,” he added, “marijuana is still illegal.”
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