CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Charleston City Council passed Bill 8039 on Monday night, reducing the monetary fine to nothing on the first marijuana-related possession offense.
Councilman Chad Robinson began working on the bill in the rules and ordinance committee in July and said the bill is a review of the city code.
“This does not legalize marijuana, it does not decriminalize marijuana. This only adjusts the penalties of simple possession of 15 grams of marijuana in Charleston,” Robinson said.
Before the bill was voted on, community members were honored for their work against drug addiction, some council members were against the bill because it may encourage the youth to think it’s acceptable.
Councilmember Shannon Snodgrass said, “We just gave a proclamation about drug addiction on the very night that we’re trying to make this even more lenient.”
Corey Zinn is a community organizer who said although the bill is a compromise, it is a step in the right direction.
“Granted, I’m pretty happy with some of what’s in the compromised bill but it could be so much lower. We could see no jail, no fines for anyone, whether you’ve committed this supposed crime once, twice, three times, or more,” Zinn said.
Bill Kimmons, who was born the year marijuana became illegal, said West Virginia should become more progressive.
“I think it would benefit the state, I think it would attract young people to come here, and we’re one of the states that are losing more people than any other state,” Kimmons said.
The amount needed for the misdemeanor charge is 15 grams. Council members said that’s about half the weight of a small bag of chips.
Although the first offense is now reduced to zero dollars, for a second offense it could cost up to $250 and a third could be up to $500.
Bill 8039 will take effect in five days.
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The amount needed for the misdemeanor charge is 15 grams. Council members said that’s about half the weight of a small bag of chips. Read More