Chicago decriminalizes possession of small amounts of pot

[IDemo]

Source: USA Today

The Chicago City Council voted overwhelmingly today to decriminalize the posession of small amounts of marijuana, giving police the discretion to write tickets instead of arrest violators, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The proposal, put forth by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, passed, 43-3.

The new law, covering possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less, could take effect as soon as July. Fines would run between $250 and $500.

Reuters notes that Chicago joins such cities as Seattle, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as university towns like Champaign, Ill., and Madison, Wis., in adopting more lenient policies for pot possession.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/06/chicago-decriminalizes-possession-of-small-amounts-of-pot/1

[Uncle Joe]

1. Well that's a step in the right direction, kudos to the great city of Chicago.

Now on to legalizing cannabis.

Thanks for the thread, IDemo.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Not sure if I like the word, "discretion."

Whatever they decide, it should apply to everyone.

[99th_Monkey]

7. I caught that too

Given what ass-holes some police officers are these daze,
I don't want them to act as an on-the-spot judge and jury
in such matters.

And do people who just get "tickets" have to give the cops
their whole stash? I didn't see anything about that in the
article.

[RKP5637]

3. Finally, sensibility is creeping in !!! n/t

[Meiko]

4. Yea but

a $250.00-$500.00 fine? That's more than a little steep in my opinion. I guess it beats going to jail so it all evens out I guess. One step at a time.

[99th_Monkey]

8. Plus I bet the cops "confiscate" the pot as well. ~nt

[Meiko]

15. I was thinking

the same thing.

[liberalmike27]

5. Cool

Maybe it'll make a few of the folks less murderous, and take down the murder rate there. "Damn, I was going to shoot that guy, but I believe I'll hit the Taco Bell instead and get me a gordida."

[wwytchwood]

6. please understand

the cops will keep arresting, not ticketing, as they wanna seach and seize and fuck over

[riderinthestorm]

9. About time! Way overdue. The fines are ridiculous but maybe in time that will change. nt

[damnedifIknow]

10. Maybe

this will help with our ridiculous standing in the world of being number one in prison population. Not a good number one to be.

[otherone]

11. Go Rahm

[IamK]

12. It may be used to help people sleep through the gunfire every night... n/t

[WinstonSmith4740]

13. One step at a time...

Back on the bad old early 70's I lived in Chicago...right out of college and rarin' to go. And if I remember correctly (and I do), the best source of drugs back then were the cops. Seriously good times.

[RainDog]

14. k&r n/t

[midnight]

16. I like decriminalizing small amounts, but why fine people?

[madrchsod]

17. because it is illegal in the state of illinois

the city can get around the state law by fines. but the second time may result in state charges which are lenient for possession under a certain amount.