FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 6/8/2014
Philadelphia City Council committee will hear testimony on changing marijuana policy
For the second time this year PhillyNORML will testify at a hearing of the Philadelphia City Council Law and Government Committee in support of Councilman Kenney’s marijuana decriminalization bill.
The hearing takes place on Monday June 9, 2014 at 1:00PM in Room 400 at City Hall.
The bill has been slightly re-crafted following following a favorable reception at hearings in March before the same committee. The Common Pleas Court took issue with some of the mechanics, which have now been refined.
Kenney’s bill would downgrade cannabis possession of 30 grams or less from a criminal to a civil offense, making the fine $25. This would eliminate the mandatory custodial arrest for the offense.
Philadelphia currently arrests more than 4,000 people each year for small amounts of marijuana. Current city policy requires every offender to be put into handcuffs and a holding cell; a practice that is not replicated anywhere else in the Commonwealth. If enacted the decrim policy could save the city more than $4 million dollars each year in the Public Safety Budget.
PhillyNORML’s analysis of city arrest data has shown a consistent and disturbing racial disparity in prohibition enforcement with black residents arrested five times more often than those who are white. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has found similar trends across the country.
Arrest report: https://www.phillynorml.org/2013/09/26/media-alert-marijuana-arrests-philadelphia-2012-racial-disparity-continues/
“Marijuana consumers of all colors are hard-working, productive members of our community,” said PhillyNORML Board member Chris Goldstein who will testify at the hearing, “No one should face such harsh treatment by police and the courts for something that is now perfectly legal in other states.”
The Washington DC City Council and Mayor recently enacted a similar policy in the nation’s capitol. Marijuana possession by adults is decriminalized in more than a dozen states and more than 35 municipalities including Chicago.
PhillyNORML will also be in Harrisburg in Tuesday June 10, 2014. Derek Rosenzweig will testify before the PA Senate Law and Justice Committee in favor of SB1182, a bill to bring medical marijuana to Pennsylvania.
Follow us on Twitter: @PhillyNORML
Questions? Contact – Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731 media@phillynorml.org
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