PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh City Council has approved ticketing those possessing marijuana with violating a city ordinance banning "certain defined conduct."
The bill approved Tuesday is a way for the city to fine people up to $100 for possessing a small amount of marijuana instead of filing a misdemeanor possession charge that results in a criminal arrest record.
The new citation will still show up on a person's record, but "marijuana" won't be mentioned, only that the person was fined for "certain defined conduct."
Councilman Ricky Burgess praised the measure as a way to keep people from winding up with a career-threatening record for a relatively minor offense.
Councilwoman Darlene Harris was the only dissenter in the 8-1 vote. She's argued it's up to state or federal authorities to decriminalize pot.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/JXOOVGYDHFBTZJUS7UVYFUPGXY.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/332RVJCV7VHYNIJZSBEPXO623M.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/AE2S6CQWGBEOBFUUVWVCJOAE4Y.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/WYESW2J5WDQFDRRKLUHA4NGIKA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/ENMHG3LKYRHHHK4H2Q3EILMDEY.jpeg)