Philadelphia authorities have passed a law that decriminalizes possessions of small amounts of marijuana.
On Thursday, the Mayor Michael Nutter signed the Philadephia Marijuana Decriminalization Bill No. 140377 at the City Hall during a press conference.
The law, which takes effect on the 20th of October, does not completely legalize marijuana in the state. However, it serves to reduce the punishment nonviolent offenders receive when arrested with certain amounts of pot.
Under the new law, instead of severe legal punishments, those caught with 30 grams or less of marijuana would be cautioned with a citation and a fine of $25. While those arrested smoking pot in public places will be liable to pay a fine of $100 with a citation or serve about nine hours of community service.
Philadelphia officials have said that the bill does not completely make pot legal, emphasizing that the state still considers the plant against the law as stipulated by the constitution.
The mayor told reporters that the city is not encouraging the use or sale of marijuana. "It is our hope that by decriminalizing marijuana in the City of Philadelphia, we can begin to eliminate this great penalty to many who are otherwise law abiding citizens trying to lead good, healthy lives," Nutter said.
Reports indicate that one of the main reasons the Mayor signed the bill was to reduce the pressure on the prison system and taxpayers money that keeps it afloat.
About 4,000 people are said to be incarcerated yearly for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Nutter is optimistic that the bill will change the unjust penal trend that is likely to send young people down a cycle of crime and prisons.
"This type of action will keep kids out of the criminal-justice system, will keep people's records clean so they can get a job," says James Kenney, the Councilman credited with introducing the bill to the city's legislative body.
"Punishment needs to be proportionate to the crime," Nutter said "these are commonsense charges that will have a positive impact on many Philadelphians."
