Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
After a vote Tuesday afternoon, the Atlanta City Council is one vote away from decriminalizing possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana.
The City Council's public safety committee decided to send the plan to the full council. The committee voted three votes for, one against and one no vote on the resolution.
Why one businessman says the ordinance needs to change, on the Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat at 11 p.m.
The current law allows for a penalty of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail for anyone caught in possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana.
Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall was behind the proposal who said this is a racial issue.
"Ninety percent of the people who are in our jails for possession of marijuana are young African-Americans," Hall said. "People are losing their jobs, people are losing their scholarships. Families are being torn apart for something that we should really be ashamed of."
If the full council votes yes on the proposal, the penalty for possession for less than an ounce of marijuana could be lowered to just a $75 ticket and no jail time.
There were some reservations from members of the committee.
"I think there ought to be controls on substances like this," City Councilman Ivory Young said.
Hall said the current laws disproportionately affect minorities.
"Atlanta has to be the leader in this conversation of justice reform," Hall said.
The vote on the new ordinance will go before the full council next Monday.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ordinance to dramatically cut pot punishments heads to council | WSB-TV
Author: Carl Willis, Sophia Choi
Contact: Contact Us | WSB-TV
Photo Credit: AJC
Website: Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic and Sports | WSB-TV
The City Council's public safety committee decided to send the plan to the full council. The committee voted three votes for, one against and one no vote on the resolution.
Why one businessman says the ordinance needs to change, on the Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat at 11 p.m.
The current law allows for a penalty of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail for anyone caught in possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana.
Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall was behind the proposal who said this is a racial issue.
"Ninety percent of the people who are in our jails for possession of marijuana are young African-Americans," Hall said. "People are losing their jobs, people are losing their scholarships. Families are being torn apart for something that we should really be ashamed of."
If the full council votes yes on the proposal, the penalty for possession for less than an ounce of marijuana could be lowered to just a $75 ticket and no jail time.
There were some reservations from members of the committee.
"I think there ought to be controls on substances like this," City Councilman Ivory Young said.
Hall said the current laws disproportionately affect minorities.
"Atlanta has to be the leader in this conversation of justice reform," Hall said.
The vote on the new ordinance will go before the full council next Monday.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ordinance to dramatically cut pot punishments heads to council | WSB-TV
Author: Carl Willis, Sophia Choi
Contact: Contact Us | WSB-TV
Photo Credit: AJC
Website: Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic and Sports | WSB-TV
