Pubdate: Tue, 03 Oct 2017
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2017 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Leon Stafford

ATLANTA: NO JAIL FOR POT POSSESSION

The Atlanta City Council on Monday unanimously passed legislation
eliminating jail time and reducing penalties on possession of small
amounts of marijuana, but not before mayoral candidates got into
heated debates and backers of the bill became rowdy.

The legislation, which was resurrected in September after spending
months in committees because of concerns it might send the wrong
message, brings Atlanta closer to other large cities across the nation
that are either lessening penalties on pot or decriminalizing it
altogether as Americans' opinions on the drug evolve.

It will reduce the financial penalty for possession of one ounce or
less from up to $1,000 to a maximum of $75. Jail time, currently six
months for possession, would be eliminated for an ounce or less.
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MAP posted-by: Matt