Chicopee, MA - The City Council will study a proposed ordinance that would add local fines on top of the $100 state fine for anyone caught with an ounce or less of marijuana.
The council on Tuesday sent the proposal to its Ordinance Committee for a public hearing. The order was sponsored by At-large councilors Robert J. Zygarowski and James K. Tillotson.
The new ordinance would allow local police to issue additional fines for people who are caught smoking marijuana in a public place. The local fines would be $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for all subsequent violations.
The new state marijuana law took effect on Jan. 2 after voters statewide approved a ballot question that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.
"I think we're being proactive with this," Tillotson said. "I don't think it's a major problem in Chicopee right now."
In March, the Springfield City Council approved a similar ordinance. Last month, Town Meeting voters in Ludlow approved a bylaw prohibiting the consumption of marijuana in public places.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: MassLive.com
Author: Holly Angelo
Copyright: 2009 MassLive.com, LLC.
Contact: Contact Us - MassLive.com
Website: Chicopee studies local marijuana fines - MassLive.com
The council on Tuesday sent the proposal to its Ordinance Committee for a public hearing. The order was sponsored by At-large councilors Robert J. Zygarowski and James K. Tillotson.
The new ordinance would allow local police to issue additional fines for people who are caught smoking marijuana in a public place. The local fines would be $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for all subsequent violations.
The new state marijuana law took effect on Jan. 2 after voters statewide approved a ballot question that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.
"I think we're being proactive with this," Tillotson said. "I don't think it's a major problem in Chicopee right now."
In March, the Springfield City Council approved a similar ordinance. Last month, Town Meeting voters in Ludlow approved a bylaw prohibiting the consumption of marijuana in public places.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: MassLive.com
Author: Holly Angelo
Copyright: 2009 MassLive.com, LLC.
Contact: Contact Us - MassLive.com
Website: Chicopee studies local marijuana fines - MassLive.com
