[[{“value”:”
EASTON, Pa. — Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone is taking another shot at marijuana decriminalization, but by all appearances, the path to pass the bill will be an uphill battle.
Pintabone on Wednesday night reintroduced a marijuana decriminalization ordinance. It would turn possession of small amounts of marijuana into a summary offense, similar to a traffic ticket.
The proposal elicited familiar concerns from some fellow council members, and a bit more public support.
Now listed as Bill No. 61, the ordinance was originally introduced in February and killed in a tie vote in March with Councilwoman Taiba Sultana abstaining.
The measure will be voted upon again in June.
The bill maintains its exact language and fee structure for summary offenses as it did when it was initially proposed, with a first offense fee of $25 for possession, and $150 for personal use.
Easton City Councilwoman Crystal Rose
While discussion on the matter brought up contention among council members, Pintabone may have an opportunity to pass it if he can win over Sultana, provided council votes along the same lines as in March.
‘Not our responsibility’
Councilman Roger Ruggles raised concerns over the measure providing residents with “a false sense of security,” with the understanding that police in Easton would still be beholden to state laws that currently classify possession as a misdemeanor.
Pintabone said he had spoken to Police Chief Carl Scalzo at length on the matter, in addition to speaking directly to members of the police department.
“And in fact, as of today, I have spoken to 16 Easton police officers who said they applaud this legislation,” Pintabone said.
“They think it’s long overdue. They’re tired of it, and in most cases, they overlook it because they don’t want to ruin a person’s future and do three hours of paperwork and have them spend the day off going to court. They support this legislation.”
While Ruggles reiterated his concern, Pintabone offered to invite Scalzo to the next meeting in order to clear up any discrepancies.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. also said he was worried about overstepping the boundaries for city legislation.
“We don’t deal with anything that’s not our responsibility, and we’re not responsible for setting the law on marijuana. I agree with all the intent, but I don’t agree with the ordinance,” Panto said.
Councilman Ken Brown said he was particularly concerned with public smoking, and the potential for young children in particular to be exposed to marijuana smoke — especially in a city that hosts numerous public festivals.
Pintabone said he had spoken with authorities and experts in Allentown and Bethlehem about increased marijuana smoking during their public events.
“No one has seen an uptick in smoking. I don’t know why we’re thinking that Easton would be the first one. The smoking that is happening has already been happening,” Pintabone said.
Changing times
Pintabone stressed that “times have changed,” and that older council members should reevaluate their position with an understanding of how public perceptions on marijuana have changed over the years.
“I say this with all due respect: I understand the feelings of our older generation. Times have changed. There’s an archaic way of thinking, and it’s time to evolve. It’s time to move forward: 30 states around us have legalized it,” Pintabone said, adding a state push to legalize marijuana had only been shot down in Pennsylvania by Senate Republicans.
Councilwoman Crystal Rose, who supported Pintabone’s last decriminalization ordinance, said the ordinance was simply the right thing to do for the community.
“I couldn’t have it on my conscience that some young person, because they smoke in public, has it on their record forever, and we ruined their lives because of it. I think that’s wrong. I have nothing personally to gain from this, but I support it because I think it’s the right thing to do,” Rose said.
‘I’m fine with four to three’
Joe Welsh of Lehigh Valley Justice Institute made another appearance in support of decriminalization, detailing the lurid history of drug enforcement targeting Black and other minority communities.
“How many more lives of your constituents do you want impacted by a failed, politically motivated policy?” Welsh said.
“No lightning bolts are going to hit if you vote yes, no fires from below if you vote no, but if you do vote no, your constituents continue to suffer needlessly, and you divert taxpayer money away from stopping real crime. That’s the choice,” Welsh said.
And while he disagreed with the fee structure that would impact lower income residents the most, Dominic Trabosci said he still felt the ordinance was a step in the right direction.
“To me, it’s illogical to want someone’s future employment and house buying power to be affected by a petty crime,” Trabosci said. “This is a bill that would objectively help prevent that, and we all know this is a time where it’s already very hard for people to find a home or get a job.”
“If the fine increase is a way of generating money from marijuana, I think there are probably better ways from profiting from the drug, notably federal legal legalization, but until that day comes, I think this bill should be passed, and I will be back to support it in a couple weeks when the vote comes.”
Pintabone wrapped up his talking points by reiterating Welsh’s point concerning how “the war of drugs wasn’t what they made us think it was, and now we need to evolve and think our way out of it.”
“I mean, listen, respectfully, to all my council members, I know I have three no votes,” Pintabone said. “I’m hoping we have four yes votes in two weeks. I know we have more than enough votes come January, when seats change. But I think we can do this in two weeks, four to three. I’m fine with four to three.”
“}]] Councilman Frank Pintabone reintroduced his marijuana decriminalization ordinance at Easton City Council on Wednesday, aiming to turn possession into a summary charge. A vote on the matter is expected in two weeks. Read More
