Council Passes Tweaked Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

Marijuana decriminalization is one step closer to reality.

City Council today approved a revised decriminalization bill aimed at ending arrests for possession of small amounts of pot. Instead, offenders would be issued a $25 ticket — and have their stash destroyed on the spot, potentially. Persons caught smoking in public would be fined $100, but could erase that fine with community service.

Mayor Michael Nutter has promised to sign the bill, a slight revision of the original passed early in the summer. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has agreed to abide by it. The bill was sponsored by Councilman Jim Kenney.

After a summer full of debate, the final approval came quickly and quietly, with no debate. The bill now goes to Nutter for his signature.