Atlanta City Council unanimously voted to pass legislation that will reduce the penalties for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana.
The new legislation lowers the previously penalty of up to $1,000 as well as up to 6 months in jail, to a $75 ticket and no jail time.
There are eight calendar days for Mayor Kasim Reed to sign or veto the legislation, but it could go into effect if he doesn’t sign it and doesn’t veto it.
“In fact, what I’ve said is I don’t want blood on my hands. I don’t want some college kid to think they are within their rights to posses marijuana in Atlanta, get arrested, resist arrest and, God forbid, the worst happens,” said Councilwoman Keisha Lance-Bottoms.
The Atlanta City Council wrote on Facebook, “To everyone who came out in support of the legislation to reduce the penalties for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, we heard you. Motion passed unanimously 15-0.”
