CHICAGO DECRIMINALIZES SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA.... <<Headline from thinkprogress>>

[MagickMuffin]

The Chicago City Council has voted 43-2 to “decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.” The city will now “issue a ticket for possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less,” but arrests “would still be mandated for anyone caught smoking pot in public or possessing marijuana in or near a school or in or near a park.”

Chicago joins a number of states and cities who are considering similar decriminalization legislation. 15 states and a number of cities have reduced the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana, including: Seattle, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as university towns like Champaign, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin.

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[MagickMuffin]

1. Holy-Moly

I thought this would be considered BIG news!

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. rec

[riderinthestorm]

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

[frazzled]

8. Heck, you get a fine in Chicago if you smoke a cigarette within 15 feet of a bldg. entrance

up to $250. So no biggie on pot fines.

[bemildred]

4. PSA: 15 grams is about half and ounce. nt

[panader0]

5. If it's decent smoke, 15 grams would last me a month. Yea Chicago!!

[RadiationTherapy]

6. 43:2 is a notable ratio. Impressive.

[cthulu2016]

7. Fuckin' metric system...

Actually, pot is frequently sold by the gram these days, and drugs probably the biggest reason people know what a gram or kilo is, but still... what is the point of a law that is not readily comprehensible to many folks who may run afoul of the law?

For the record, I think 15 grams is a little over 1/2 ounce.

[MagickMuffin]

9. 28 grams is an ounce ;=}

Blame the scales

[dionysus]

10. an eigth is about 3.5 grams if i recall