Pubdate: Tue, 09 Sep 2014
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Jenny DeHuff
Page: 7

WEED BILL NOW A JOINT EFFORT

MAYOR NUTTER and Councilman Jim Kenney have struck a deal on the 
councilman's bill to end mandatory arrests for possession of small 
amounts of marijuana.

Kenney's bill, which would decriminalize possession of less than an 
ounce of marijuana, was passed by Council, but the mayor has refused 
to sign it.

The compromise reached yesterday would amend the bill to include a 
$100 civil fine for smoking pot in public, which alternately can be 
paid off by nine or 10 hours of community service. The $25 civil fine 
for carrying less than an ounce would stay the same. No handcuffs. No 
fingerprinting. No criminal record.

"This is where we wanted to be," Kenney said.

"Nine months ago when we started out, I saw the disparity numbers for 
people being arrested for possession and it didn't sit right with me. 
. . . This is a win for every young person and many people in this city."

In the past, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has said he does not 
support any form of marijuana legalization. He declined to comment on 
the Nutter-Kenney deal when reached by phone yesterday.

According to Nutter spokesman Mark McDonald, the bill will be 
recalled by Council to make the amendments.

McDonald said the mayor will have more to say on the details of the 
legal process that will be used to handle possession of small amounts 
of marijuana by tomorrow.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom