Assuring their citizens have the same civil liberties as those in Broward County, Key West, Hallandale Beach, and Miami-Dade County; on Tuesday the Palm Beach County Commissioners approved a motion by a 4-to-1 vote, officially decriminalizing the possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis.
The newly implemented law provides local law enforcement an alternative to the odious route of incarcerating individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana. Now, rather than being hauled off to jail, police catching individuals with less than 20 grams of weed will have the option to issue a $100 citation.
Provided an individual is incapable of paying off the citation, community service would be offered as an alternative.
The decriminalization issue was expected to pass after it received preliminary approval by the commissioners in October; unfortunately the final vote was rescheduled for December, providing extra time for the county commissioners to work out the ordinance’s language.
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