Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County - The Wilkes-Barre City Council is considering an ordinance that would mean no jail time for a person found with a small amount of pot.
This is something cities all across the nation have done. It would mean a person found in possession of pot would face fines or citations but not jail time. A majority of the council argues it would free up police officers to pursue more serious crimes and the city would also collect a portion of the fines.
Luzerne County's first assistant Disctrict Attorney Sam Sanguedolce had this to say: "Obviously I can say that certain things with marijuana are a violation of state law and a local municipality doesn't have any authority to say now it's legal in our town."
Similar ordinances were passed in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh but there was a catch..."You really can't have an ordinance without an agreement from your local prosecutor that they don't want to pursue the charges because it is a violation of state law" Sanguedolce says.
No such agreement has been reached with the Luzerne County District Attorney's office. It's highly unlikely that such an agreement will ever become a reality. Mayor Tony George says he will fight any such ordinance.
The city council is still researching the ordinance and they are expected to once again bring it up for discussion at their next meeting.
Legal experts says if the ordinance is passed without an agreement with the district attorney...it could lead to a legal battle between the city and the county.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Will Marijuana Be Decriminalized In Wilkes-Barre?
Author: Andy Mehalshick
Contact: (570) 823-2828
Photo Credit: Chuck Grimmett
Website: PA Homepage
This is something cities all across the nation have done. It would mean a person found in possession of pot would face fines or citations but not jail time. A majority of the council argues it would free up police officers to pursue more serious crimes and the city would also collect a portion of the fines.
Luzerne County's first assistant Disctrict Attorney Sam Sanguedolce had this to say: "Obviously I can say that certain things with marijuana are a violation of state law and a local municipality doesn't have any authority to say now it's legal in our town."
Similar ordinances were passed in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh but there was a catch..."You really can't have an ordinance without an agreement from your local prosecutor that they don't want to pursue the charges because it is a violation of state law" Sanguedolce says.
No such agreement has been reached with the Luzerne County District Attorney's office. It's highly unlikely that such an agreement will ever become a reality. Mayor Tony George says he will fight any such ordinance.
The city council is still researching the ordinance and they are expected to once again bring it up for discussion at their next meeting.
Legal experts says if the ordinance is passed without an agreement with the district attorney...it could lead to a legal battle between the city and the county.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Will Marijuana Be Decriminalized In Wilkes-Barre?
Author: Andy Mehalshick
Contact: (570) 823-2828
Photo Credit: Chuck Grimmett
Website: PA Homepage
