There was a showdown in North York over the decriminalization of marijuana.Borough council voted 3-2 Tuesday in favor of it, but the mayor announced she will veto it.The decriminalization would cover small amounts of marijuana. If an individual was found with less than one ounce, it would result in a fine of $50 or less. Offenders could also avoid jail.”I’m 100% for it. It absolutely needs to be done. Kids are getting in trouble and getting way too many fines, way too much punishment for something that is not necessarily a crime anymore,” resident Maggie Grimm said.”Marijuana is not a bad substance to use. It actually has a lot of benefits medically,” resident Brittany Heiland said.A police lieutenant said that even if the ordinance does pass, ultimately state law will supersede it. This is just the council’s way of getting its stance on the books.”I think if you ask any regular member of the community, they have no problem with it either. It’s hard to put people in jail or give people fines for something that society generally sees as acceptable,” Council President Seth Hightman said.”Passing this gives the people a false sense of security. If we do it pass it, people may think it’s OK. And we heard from Lt. Anderson they have to go by the state law no matter what ordinance we put in place,” Council Member M. Joel Collier said.The mayor has 10 days to submit her veto. Council will take another vote at the next meeting and will need a majority plus an extra person to be able to pass the ordinance.
There was a showdown in North York over the decriminalization of marijuana.
Borough council voted 3-2 Tuesday in favor of it, but the mayor announced she will veto it.
The decriminalization would cover small amounts of marijuana. If an individual was found with less than one ounce, it would result in a fine of $50 or less. Offenders could also avoid jail.
“I’m 100% for it. It absolutely needs to be done. Kids are getting in trouble and getting way too many fines, way too much punishment for something that is not necessarily a crime anymore,” resident Maggie Grimm said.
“Marijuana is not a bad substance to use. It actually has a lot of benefits medically,” resident Brittany Heiland said.
A police lieutenant said that even if the ordinance does pass, ultimately state law will supersede it. This is just the council’s way of getting its stance on the books.
“I think if you ask any regular member of the community, they have no problem with it either. It’s hard to put people in jail or give people fines for something that society generally sees as acceptable,” Council President Seth Hightman said.
“Passing this gives the people a false sense of security. If we do it pass it, people may think it’s OK. And we heard from Lt. Anderson they have to go by the state law no matter what ordinance we put in place,” Council Member M. Joel Collier said.
The mayor has 10 days to submit her veto. Council will take another vote at the next meeting and will need a majority plus an extra person to be able to pass the ordinance.