As the state legislature fights its own battles over the use of medical marijuana by Georgians, the Atlanta City Council is preparing for its own vote on decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana within city limits.
City Councilwoman Kwanza Hall on Tuesday proposed an ordinance that would drastically reduce the penalty for individuals caught with under an ounce of marijuana. Currently that crime is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1000 fine and 6 month confinement. Under Hall’s proposal, being caught with under an ounce would be a mere $75 fine, no jail time, and no criminal record.
Possessing any amount of marijuana would remain illegal under state as well as federal law.
Earlier this year Democrat state Senator Harold Jones introduced SB 105 which would have similarly reduced punishments for possessing small amounts of marijuana. That bill failed to make it out of the Senate Rules Committee.
The City Council will vote on the proposal at their meeting next week.
See the full text of the proposal HERE.
