From High Times,: A member of the Jacksonville, Florida city council filed a bill on Thursday that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The measure, the Jacksonville Civil Citation for Small Quantity Marijuana Possession Ordinance, would give law enforcement officers the option to issue a civil citation for possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis. The bill was authored by Councilman Garrett Dennis, who said in a statement that the ordinance would allow police to concentrate on more serious matters.
Texas gets it: A bill that effectively decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of marijuana was approved on Monday by the Texas House of Representatives. Under the measure, House Bill 63, a fine of up to $500 would be imposed for possession of one ounce or less of cannabis, rather than jail time. HB 63 was passed by the House with a vote of 98-43 and must be approved by the body with a second vote, a step usually viewed as a formality, before heading to the state Senate.
More good news from Kentucky: Members of the Louisville, Kentucky city council introduced a proposed ordinance on Wednesday that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority for the city’s police department. The proposal was filed by four members of the Louisville Metro Council, including Councilman Brandon Coan, who represents Louisville’s District 8. “The idea is pretty straightforward: You don’t want to punish somebody who makes a minor indiscretion … to prevent them from getting a job or advancing in their career or being prejudiced in any other normal way of life,” said Coan.