Mayor of Tampa, Florida Signs Cannabis Decrim Bill Into Law
Tampa has become the latest Florida city to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, with Mayor Bob Buckhorn signing into a law today an ordinance to do just that.
Under the new law – which was passed 5 to 1 by the City Council earlier this month – those caught possessing up to 20 grams of cannabis will be issued a citation of between $75 – $300 (depending on whether it’s their first, second or any subsequent offense). Under current law, the possession of even a miniscule amount of cannabis can result in a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
“What the country and certainly mayors have realized is incarcerating people, particularly young people, for a very small amount of marijuana absolutely alters their career path for the rest of their life,” says Mayor Buckhorn. “Once they get into that prison system, they are forever scarred; they forever have a prison record.”
Tampa is the 53rd most populated city in the U.S. with roughly 300,000 people living their.
