Fulton County Votes To Decriminalize Marijuana
People caught with less than an ounce of marijuana in the unincorporated areas of Fulton County will not face jail time for their first four offenses.
Josh Edelson / Associated Press file
Fulton County commissioners voted to decriminalize marijuana Wednesday night.
People caught with less than an ounce of weed in the unincorporated areas of the county will not face jail time for their first four offenses.
Atlanta and the city of South Fulton have already decriminalized weed.
Fulton County Chairman Rob Pitts said commissioners hoped to set an example.
“Our legislation also says that we will encourage, we can’t force, but encourage, the other 13 cities to pass similar legislation so that it will be the norm countywide within Fulton County,” Pitts said.
He said the new law is also a step toward criminal justice reform.
“What we’re hoping is that the other 13 cities within Fulton County will follow suit, and this will go a long way, I think, toward reducing our jail population,” Pitts said.
If you are caught with less than an ounce, your first offense is punishable by a $75 citation but no jail time. The fee escalates for every offense thereafter.
However, marijuana is still illegal in Georgia.
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