Tampa, Florida City Council Votes to Decriminalize Cannabis
The City Council of Tampa, Florida has voted 5 to 1 to pass an ordinance that would decriminalize the possession of up to 20 grams of cannabis, a crime that’s currently punishable by up to a year in jail and an $1,000 fine.
Under the proposed law, which will receive a final vote on March 17 before going to Mayor Bob Buckhorn, those caught possessing up to 20 grams of cannabis will be issued, at most, a $75 citation for someone’s first offense, an $150 citation for their second offense, and a $450 citation for any subsequent offense; no number of offenses will result in jailtime or a criminal record.
The proposal is expected to save the city of of 300,000 hundreds of thousands of dollars in enforcement costs; Tampa is the 53rd most populated city in the United States.
The proposal is supported by the city’s mayor, as well as the city’s police chief.
Diane
really, save you and make you money at the same time, wow now that is bs.. not sure how much 20 grams is but why don’t you just decriminalize ? you are not decriminalizing it you are just making it different so you can make money off of it so the person is still criminal for having it and it still goes on their criminal background , you are crooks!!! any way to put money in your pockets I guess!!!!! Looks to me that you lawmakers are criminal!!! you make me sick, damn the people that smoke the chit and make money off of them for doing it!!! sssshhhmmm you are worse than criminals!!!
Preston Peet
It’s now a Sin Tax, and still penalties imposed by some people who have nothing to do with the herb against other people for using the herb. Cops gloating as they portray their thievery and corrupt morals as a boon to smokers and users of herb because they’re not snatching them and putting them in jail. Really, stomach churning, the true nature of this never ending War on Some Drugs and Users.
Anonymous
They don’t want to legalize pot!