philadelphia Archives - TheJointBlog

Philadelphia Mayor Calls for Marijuana Legalization

April 24, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has come out in support of legalizing marijuana.

“The real solution to this is legalizing it in the state of Pennsylvania as they did in Colorado,” said Mayor Kenney earlier today. “We won’t have to use police resources in these kinds of activities and actions.”

The comment came as Kenney was responding to questions about a Saturday raid on a marijuana “smokeasy”. According to police, 22 people were taken into custody following an investigation of “large-scale marijuana sales”. During the questioning Kenney said “It’s clearly illegal to sell in those quantities”, but noted that there’s “another way” to go about the situation, “as opposed to the amount of resources that were put into this, especially considering our ongoing relationship with that community”..

Harrisburg Becomes Third Pennsylvania City to Decriminalize Cannabis

July 7, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, has become the third city in the state to pass an ordinance decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis.

On Tuesday the city’s council voted unanimously to pass a proposal making the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis a simple $75 fine for a person’s first and second offense ($150 if smoking in public). Unfortunately if someone is caught possessing cannabis three times within a five year period it would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

Lawmakers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have passed similar ordinances.

Pittsburgh City Council Votes to Decriminalize Cannabis and Hash Possession

December 21, 2015December 21, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Pittsburgh’s City Council has given final approval to legislation that will decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis, and up to 8 grams of hash. The vote was 7 to 2.

“The Mayor agrees with Council members, the District Attorney and many others that this is a common sense change that will help protect the futures of young people in our communities,” says mayoral spokesman Tim McNulty, indiciating that Mayor Bill Peduto will sign the ordinance into law once it reaches his desk (though even if he vetoes it, there was enough support in the Council to override it).

Pittsburgh City Council Votes 6 to 1 to Decriminalize Cannabis and Hash Possession

December 16, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

In a 6 to 1 vote, Pittsburgh’s City Council has given approval to a measure that would decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis, as well as the possession of up to 8 grams of hash.

The proposal was passed on a preliminary vote, with the final vote expected to come next week. The city’s police chief, and mayor, are both in support of the move.

Under the proposed law, police would be authorized to, at most, give an $100 ticket for those caught possessing an amount of cannabis within the 30 gram (or 8 grams for hash) limit.

Philadelphia: Cannabis Arrests Drop 78% in One Month After Decriminalization Takes Effect

November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

On October 20th, a law decriminalizing the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis became law in Philadelphia. Between October 20th and November 20th, there was just 20 new tickets issued, 14 for possession (a $25 ticket) and 6 for consuming in public (an $100 ticket).

In that same time period, there were 72 arrests for cannabis, though that number is down drastically from the amount of arrests during the same time period in 2013 (320); in total, there was a 78% decline in arrests. These numbers are from the Philadelphia Police Department.

Philadelphia Cannabis Decriminalization Law Takes Effect October 20th

October 20, 2014October 19, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

A proposal that decriminalizes the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis will officially take effect tomorrow, October 20th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Under the new law, which was signed into law by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter on October 1st after being approved 14 to 2 by the City Council, those caught possessing up to 30 grams of cannabis will be given a $25 ticket, unless they’re caught smoking in public, in which case the ticket will be raised to $100.

Philadelphia Mayor Signs Cannabis Decriminalization Bill, Takes Effect October 20th

January 8, 2015October 1, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed into law today a proposal which will decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis within the city, a move that was supported 14 to 2 by the City’s Council.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has agreed to abide by the new law, which will find cannabis decriminalized in Philadelphia, while remaining a criminal charge in the State of Pennsylvania.

Cannabis Decriminalization Measure Approved 14 to 2 by Philadelphia City Council

October 5, 2014September 18, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

The Philadelphia City Council voted Thursday to decriminalize cannabis, approving a proposal which will now go to Mayor Michael Nutter, who has stated he will sign it into law after the council made some alterations to the measure. The vote was 14 to 2, and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has agreed to abide by the new law.

Under the approved proposal, the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older will be decriminalized, making it a simple $25 ticket; if someone is caught smoking in public, the ticket will be raised to $100, with the individual being given the option of doing 9-hours of community service if they can’t afford the fee.

Philadelphia City Council Approves Change to Cannabis Decriminalization Measure

September 12, 2014September 12, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

The Philadelphia City Council voted Thursday to move forward with a bill to decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis for those 21 and older, making it a simple $25 ticket unless someone is caught smoking in public, wherein the ticket will be raised to $100. The Council is expected to make a final vote on the measure next week.

The Council initially approved the measure in June, though it was opposed by Mayor Michael Nutter. However, Mayor Nutter recently reversed his stance, saying that he’ll sign a bill to decriminalize cannabis as long as the ticket is increased to $100 for public consumption, and so that anyone who receives a ticket would need to appear before a Municipal Court judge (though they would receive no criminal record or jail time). Individuals would have the option of doing 9 hours of community service if they can’t afford the fine.

Philadelphia Mayor to Sign Cannabis Decriminalization Bill, After Some Changes

September 9, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has announced that he will sign legislation to decriminalize cannabis possession, but only after the City Council makes some changes to a bill they approved in June with a 13 to 3 vote.

Under the proposal approved by the Council, the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis would result in no more than a $25 ticket. Mayor Nutter, however, wants the bill to be amended so that the public consumption of cannabis is an $100 ticket, and so that anyone who receives a ticket would need to appear before a Municipal Court judge, though they would receive no criminal record.