Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jun 2014
Source: Republican & Herald (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact:  http://republicanherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1047
Page: 9

COUNCIL BACKS MARIJUANA BILL

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A veto-proof majority of Philadelphia City 
Council is supporting a bill to effectively decriminalize the 
possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The bill passed Thursday, 13-3, with every Democrat in favor of it 
and every Republican against it. A spokesman for Mayor Michael Nutter 
would not immediately say whether the Democrat would sign it.

The measure would allow the police department to change its policy to 
no longer require officers to arrest somebody who is 18 and older for 
possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana. It would still be 
punishable by a $25 fine.

Councilman Jim Kenney said the new policy could save the police 
department and the courts $4 million a year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom