Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Author: Matthew Cella Page: A12 MARIJUANA BILL UP FOR VOTE BEFORE COUNCIL ON FEB. 4 The D.C. Council will consider a bill to decriminalize marijuana during its Feb. 4 legislative session. Council member Tommy Wells, Ward 6 Democrat, has proposed a measure that recommends a $25 civil penalty for marijuana possession. Current law makes possession punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Mr. Wells has cited racial disparities in the arrests made for marijuana possession as the reason for reform. The bill has broad support among the 13-member council, though several members indicated during a hearing Thursday that they are likely to introduce amendments before the vote. A separate bill that would legalize marijuana is pending in the council, and activists also are leading an effort to put legalization on the ballot in November. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt