Metro Atlanta city decriminalizes marijuana possession | What you need to know – 11Alive.com
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JONESBORO, Ga. — People in Jonesboro will no longer face jailtime for possessing a small amount of marijuana.
On Monday night, the City Council voted to decriminalize possession of the drug. Those caught with less than one ounce of marijuana will face up to a $150 fine and no jailtime instead of the previous up to $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail.
Councilwoman Chelsey Curney put forward the ordinance. She said one reason was to free up police officers to focus on more violent crime.
She also wanted the city to be in line with Clayton County, which decriminalized the drug in September. The punishment in Clayton County is also up to a $150 fine.
Curney said now the punishment fits the crime.
“I think this is important because disproportionately there are certain groups that are criminalized for small amounts of marijuana disproportionately,” Curney said.
Several people spoke in support of decriminalization at the meeting.
Councilwoman Tracey Messick was the only no vote.
“Decriminalizing sends a confusing message to residents that something is acceptable locally even though it remains illegal statewide,” Messick said.
Jonesboro now joins about two dozen municipalities in Georgia that decriminalized marijuana, including Atlanta, Forest Park, and Fulton County.