Possession of a little bit of marijuana will remain illegal in Philadelphia under an ordinance City Council is considering, but it will be decriminalized.
That might need an explanation.
Under the measure, which amends a similar ordinance council passed in late June, anyone the cops catch with 30 grams or less of marijuana will get cited and fined $25. Anyone the law catches smoking 30 grams of pot or less in public will get cited and fined $100 or nine hours of community service.
So, yeah, pot will still be against the law, but a little bit of it won’t get a Philadelphian a criminal record if council approves the new ordinance, a compromise reached by its sponsor, Councilman James Kenney (D-at large), and Mayor Michael Nutter.
For all those who don’t get the metric system, 30 grams is about an ounce, which the police won’t let you walk away with. Pot citations will be processed through the Municipal Court system.
Anyone caught with more than 30 grams, caught selling or distributing grass, driving under the influence, not giving correct ID or just not cooperating with police can be arrested.
“This bill will not legalize marijuana. Rather, it will decriminalize marijuana — which means that offenses involving small amounts of marijuana will result in a civil penalty, not an arrest or criminal record,” the mayor said last week. “We want to ensure that the punishment for using or possessing small amount of marijuana is commensurate with the severity of the crime while giving police officers the tools they need to protect the health and well-being of all Philadelphians. Our agreement on this bill is an example of the legislative process working to bring people together, create discussion around an important issue and ultimately reach consensus.”
Nutter wasn’t sure about the Kenney ordinance council members passed 13–3 in their last session for summer break. Kenney was, and asked the mayor to implement it right away.
Other than giving people criminal records for small amounts of pot, Kenney said the vast majority of arrests for a little weed were arrests of black people. About 80 percent of those arrested are black, he said in June.
“I am very pleased that we have reached this commonsense agreement that will improve opportunity for countless Philadelphians,” Kenney said last week. “Under this new policy, police officers will be able to remain focused on more serious offenses, and many young people will be spared the life-altering consequences of a criminal record, such as limited job prospects, inability to obtain student loans or even join the armed services.”
According to the mayor’s office, once council passes the amended bill, it will go into effect on Oct. 20. ••
