Doylestown Borough is now the first Bucks County municipality to pass an ordinance relaxing the penalty for those caught with a small amount of marijuana.
Under the ordinance, anyone found with less than 30 grams of marijuana or 8 grams or less of hashish would be issued a citation, akin to a non-traffic ticket, and would be fined $25.
If someone receives a citation for possession three times in a five-year period, he or she would then be charged with the misdemeanor for a fourth offense. Each fine is $25.
Councilwoman Noni West said the ordinance helps juveniles as with their futures and helps allocate police resources better.
“it’s a small step we can take as a municipality towards criminal justice reform," she said.
A handful of municipalities in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, State College and York, have passed ordinances reducing penalties for small amounts of marijuana in recent years.
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