Savannah may follow Atlanta’s lead and reduce marijuana possession penalties
Published: Oct 16, 2017, 12:30 pm • Updated: Oct 16, 2017, 12:30 pm
By The Associated Press
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Another large Georgia city could cut penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
Savannah Alderman Van Johnson announced Monday that he wants to reduce the maximum city fine for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana from $1,000 to $150. He also wants to eliminate jail time, with police instead just writing tickets for violations.
Johnson says he’s seeking input on his proposal, with plans to present it to the Savannah City Council within 45 days.
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Johnson says marijuana would still be illegal, but says he wants to spare people from arrest records and keep marijuana cases from clogging courts. He proposes using 20 percent of fine money to subsidize drug treatment.
Atlanta recently cut its fine for possessing an ounce or less of pot to a maximum of $75.
Topics: Atlanta, Georgia, misdemeanor marijuana possession, possession, possession limits, Savannah
