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.
Related Content:
Note: According to the NTPD Incident Blotter - April 11, 2021: While on routine patrol around 2:00 am, an officer observed a vehicle in the parking lot of the Newtown Skate Park. Nearby, two young men were sitting on metal bleachers. The officer made contact with them, and a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia was discovered and seized as evidence. One juvenile male was issued a citation as a result, and their parents were contacted to pick them up.
At approximately 11:15 pm police conducted a traffic stop on the operator of a silver Scion XA for committing a vehicle code violation on the Newtown Bypass in the area of Woodbourne Road. As a result of the investigation, a small amount of marijuana was discovered and seized as evidence, and citations were issued.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://bucks.crimewatchpa.com/newtowntwppd/34824/post/incident-blotter-april-9-15-2021
On February 20, 2021, The Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) voted on two legalization of marijuana resolutions:
BCATO sends approved resolution to PA State Association of Township Supervisors, which may or may not approve them for consideration in its PA legislative lobbying efforts.