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Cleveland, Ohio Officials Discuss Ordinance to Decriminalize Cannabis

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he city council in Cleveland, which is the second largest city in Ohio, is expected to pass an ordinance that would decriminalize possession of less than 200 grams of cannabis within city limits.

According to News 5 in Cleveland, City Councilmember Blaine Griffin introduced an ordinance last summer to remove all penalties for possessing small amounts of cannabis. A city council committee is expected to take up the ordinance this month to discuss the topic. “What we think is that people who have small amounts [of cannabis] should not receive penalties,” said Griffin. “They’ve already started to lessen the heavy-handed tactics around it. We just want to codify it.”

“I talk to many professionals; people are using it right now,” added State Rep. Stephanie Howse, referring to recreational cannabis and how it’s becoming more widely accepted. “But the difference is: Who is getting caught.”

Griffin said that he thinks even a small fine is too strict for possession of small amounts of cannabis, as these measures tend to punish people of color and other marginalized groups the most. “There’s bias whenever you have these kind of penalties,” he claimed.

Councilmember Matt Zone told News 5 that the ordinance is still being reviewed by Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s administration before it gets back to city council, but he is expected to sign.

Other Ohio cities like Cincinnati and Columbus are taking similar measures to decrease cannabis-related penalties and decriminalizing small amounts of cannabis.

Cincinnati has already pursued decriminalization for possessing less than 100 grams of cannabis, and Columbus only fines people $10 if they are caught in possession of 100 grams or less. Still, while Ohio now offers medical cannabis and many Ohio cities are beginning to decriminalize, full-scale legalization will likely not be on the ballot for 2020. It remains to be seen whether all the major Ohio cities will decriminalize, or the nation will legalize, before the state finally catches up.

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