Atlanta legislators may eliminate jail time for marijuana use

The punishment for possessing marijuana in Atlanta could potentially be reduced.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta City Council will discuss a proposal Monday that would eliminate jail time for marijuana use and lower the fine for possession to up to $75. The crime currently carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

The AJC also reported, however, that Mayor Kasim Reed said he is “unsure he’ll sign the changes if the legislation makes it to his desk.”

The legislation, which is sponsored by City Councilman and mayoral candidate Kwanza Hall, is reportedly addressing the disparity of black citizens incarcerated due to marijuana possession. A study by the American Civil Liberties Union states that blacks are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana “despite roughly equal usage rates.”

This story was originally published April 17, 2017 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Atlanta legislators may eliminate jail time for marijuana use."