Taking a cue from the city of Atlanta, Augusta Commission member Bill Fennoy wants to reduce the penalty for possession of “small amounts” of marijuana to a fine with no jail time.
The term-limited District 1 commissioner did not return calls seeking comment. He attached to his agenda item for the Augusta Commission Public Safety Committee’s Tuesday meeting a copy of Atlanta’s new ordinance, which reduces the penalty for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana to a $75 fine.
RELATED: Atlanta Mayor Signs Ordinance to Decriminalize Marijuana
In an attached news release, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says the ordinance change addresses the disproportionate number of young, people of color and low-income residents who are jailed for possession. Reed, who had the power to veto the Atlanta City Council decision, signed it into law Oct. 11, though possession remains illegal under state law.
