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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMarijuana has been decriminalized for a year in Philly; how's it going????
In fact, since decriminalization took effect, police have cited 73 percent fewer people than they arrested for possessing weed during the same time period in the year prior to decriminalization.
And if mayoral candidate Jim Kenney has his way, citations for marijuana users may become a thing of the past, too.
"I'm not interested in issuing citations, either. We'll get to that conversation at the appropriate time next year," Kenney told the Daily News. "As time goes on, I don't know if there's going to be a need for any kind of punishment."
As a councilman, Kenney championed the decriminalization bill. He said he did so because Philadelphia was the only municipality in the state still physically arresting people for possessing a small amount of weed and the city was arresting black pot smokers at five times the rate of white ones.
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"Now, one year later, there's literally thousands of people without a criminal record," Kenney said. "That's many more people who aren't in the criminal-justice system and have a better chance of getting a job."
According to statistics provided by the Police Department, 3,686 people were arrested for pot possession between Oct. 1, 2013, and Oct. 19, 2014.
From Oct. 20, 2014, to Sept. 5, 2015 - the most recent date for which department statistics are available - just 1,012 people were cited for possessing or smoking a small amount of marijuana.
Of those cited over the past year, 170 received a $100 citation for smoking in public and 842 received a $25 citation for possessing under 30 grams of marijuana, according to statistics from the Police Department and the city's Office of Administrative Review.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151020_Marijuana_has_been_decriminalized_for_a_year_in_Philly__how_s_it_going_.html
drm604
(16,230 posts)I guess that shows how straitlaced I am. Not that I'm against this.
Logical
(22,457 posts)MgtPA
(1,022 posts)Go Philly!
drm604
(16,230 posts)Of course, pot is not something one would normally encounter in the office.
Ghost in the Machine
(14,912 posts)Township, Parish, unincorporated area, etc. in EVERY STATE could follow suit. The BIGGEST FACTOR about marijuana "ruining people's lives" is the stigma of an arrest, conviction and criminal record that reduces job opportunities for millions of people who have harmed NO ONE. I've been around stoners all my life, and have never seen a one of them get violent when using ONLY weed. Alcohol is far more dangerous, and the cause of more assaults and domestic violence than weed is. That's a proven fact! Ask ANY cop which call they would respond to with more fear of being injured.... a drunk and disorderly, or someone smoking pot.
When my kids were teenagers, I told them "you are going to be faced with a lot of temptations, but to tell you the truth, I would rather see you smoke a joint rather than pick up a beer or some liquor ANY DAY. Also, if you are out somewhere and you DO decide to get drunk, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME!! I don't care what time of night it is, you call me and I will come get you, no questions asked, no repercussions the next day. Period. *IF* I *do* find out that you drove drunk, you will have driven for your last time until you an buy your own vehicle AND pay for the insurance!" I picked my son and daughter up one time each, and one time, when they were out together, someone sober drove them home, and I gave the driver a ride back to his house. They are 22 and 23 now, and neither of them drink, nor do I. October 1st marked 19 years of sobriety for me....
Peace,
Ghost