Title
Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by adding a new Chapter 10-2100, entitled "Marijuana Possession," to create a civil penalty for the possession of certain items and to provide for penalties and enforcement procedures for violations of such provisions, all under certain terms and conditions.
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WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, approximately 4,000 persons are arrested each year for possessing a small amount of non-medical marijuana (SAM), otherwise defined as 30 grams or approximately one ounce. These arrests require - at substantial cost to the taxpayers - a significant dedication of law enforcement, court and prison resources; and
WHEREAS, Non-violent drug and alcohol abuse is proven to cause long-term health risks and should be dealt with as a public health issue, not as a criminal issue. Using criminal means for SAM violations does nothing to deter drug and alcohol abuse but does increase the number of people with life-changing criminal records, while incidents with criminal means only burdens taxpayers and damages an individual's chances for prosperity in the process; and
WHEREAS, There is evidence that minorities are disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of marijuana laws, with African Americans 5.19 times more likely to be arrested for SAM violations in Philadelphia than Caucasians despite evidence showing nearly identical use across both communities. Of those arrested in Philadelphia for SAM possession in 2012, 82 percent were African American; and
WHEREAS, A growing number of States and Cities have recently passed laws as it pertains to the decriminalization possession of non-medical marijuana, and specifically SAM possession. In 2012, Chicago, IL moved to decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana, allowing police to issue tickets for the offense instead of mandatory arrests. In early 2014, Washington, DC passed a similar ordinance which created...
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