Pubdate: Mon, 22 Sep 2014
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Page: A16

WEED LAW IS RIGHT STEP

Too many people have seen their lives upended after being arrested 
with small amounts of marijuana.

The time it took to reach a compromise on marijuana arrests in 
Philadelphia was worth it. It should lead to a dramatic reduction in 
the thousands saddled with debilitating criminal records for 
possessing small amounts of the drug for recreational use.

That will be particularly important in the city's African American 
community, which, as the legislation's sponsor, Councilman Jim 
Kenney, pointed out has been inordinately targeted for marijuana arrests.

Kenney questioned why fraternity boys and tailgaters at Eagles games 
weren't arrested as often. Last year, 83 percent of the 4,000 people 
arrested in the city were black, even though studies show marijuana 
usage runs evenly among racial groups.

Even as he acknowledged that discrepancy, Mayor Nutter would not 
initially sign Kenney's bill when Council passed it in June. But he 
and Kenney ironed out their differences, leading to the landmark 
compromise bill passed last week, which becomes effective on Oct. 20.

The new law calls for those caught with less than 30 grams, or about 
an ounce, of marijuana to be fined $25. However, smoking marijuana in 
public carries a $100 fine or nine hours of community service. Nutter 
wanted the stiffer penalty for public use.

The approach makes sense. While marijuana use does carry some 
apparently minor health risks, treating recreational marijuana users 
like drug lords went overboard. Criminal records stemming from pot 
busts have kept thousands of young people from obtaining student 
loans, joining the military, or getting jobs.

Give credit to city District Attorney Seth Williams for blazing the 
trail to the new law. Four years ago, he announced he wouldn't seek 
jail time for possession of small amounts of marijuana, noting that 
those cases added stress to the already overloaded judicial system.

Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, who reacted negatively to 
Kenney's original bill making marijuana possession the equivalent of 
a ticketed offense, says he's on board with the revised law. The 
compromise doesn't prohibit some cases from being prosecuted under 
the state's more stringent marijuana statute, which brands users with 
a criminal record, a $500 fine, and up to 30 days in jail.

The city's new law puts Philadelphia where it belongs, among the more 
progressive parts of the country. So far, 21 states and the District 
of Columbia have downgraded marijuana charges or legalized it to some 
extent. New Jersey has legalized marijuana for medical use. That's a 
step that Pennsylvania, which has a medical marijauna bill in the 
legislature, should also take.

The city's new marijuana law is proof that Nutter and Council can 
compromise, which doesn't happen often enough. By putting aside 
politics and working together, they have written groundbreaking 
legislation that protects the public while recognizing today's realities.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom