Last October, then Mayor Kasim Reed signed a law that would reclassify cannabis in the city. The new law would make possession of an ounce or less of cannabis would result in a fine and ticket rather than jail time.
That law only pertained to the city of Atlanta. The entire county could be following suit soon.
Per Patch
Possessing a small amount of marijuana in Fulton County may not be much of a big deal soon, under a new ordinance being considered by the county commission.
The ordinance, which Fulton County Commission members could consider as early as their meeting Wednesday afternoon, would limit the penalty for possession of an ounce of marijuana or less to no more than a $75 fine.
The proposal specifically states that “no imprisonment” would be part of the penalty for such minor possession. It is listed as a “discussion item” on the agenda for the commission’s Wednesday meeting.
The change would impact unincorporated areas in Fulton County and would mirror a similar ordinance enacted by the City of Atlanta last year. Commissioners are urging other cities in Fulton County to consider similar legislation.
Commissioners including Chairman Rob Pitts, District 4’s Natalie Hall and District 5’s Marvin Arrington, Jr. have scheduled a briefing after Wednesday’s commission meeting to discuss the proposal.
This move is a sign that a conversation about cannabis is being had amongst politicians. Last week, State Senator Curt Thompson proposed a bill to legalize cannabis statewide.