By Police1 Staff
CHICAGO — The City council passed a groundbreaking ordinance Wednesday decriminalizing having “small” marijuana amounts.
Effective August 4, Chicago police will issue tickets for $250 to $500 to anyone caught with 15 grams of marijuana or less, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. Previously, violators were arrested, charged with a misdemeanor and fined $1,500.
Aldermen voted 43 to three in approval of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan, despite the generous 15-gram ceiling — enough pot to make 30 joints.
Officers will continue to arrest anyone who is smoking marijuana openly, carrying it on park or school property or are younger than 17 and in possession of the drug, The Chicago Tribune reported.