Charleston City Council discuss marijuana ordinance

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – A Charleston City Council committee is once again discussing a bill to either lower criminal penalties for marijuana or put it on the November ballot.

City Bill 8043 was first discussed during last week’s meeting of the Council’s Ordinance and Rules Committee.

Committee members discussed the different aspects of the bill relating to charges and other offenses not related to marijuana or other drug possessions, the amount of marijuana in the person’s possession, substance abuse programs and expungements, among other things.

The committee also brought up a substitute bill during the meeting, which includes amendments to the previously written bill such as lowering penalties and eliminating court fees for first offenders.

Other additions include lower penalties for other drug-related offenses, including alcohol-related offenses, and clarity on issues such as the exact amount of marijuana that would be considered “simple possession.”

Some believe decriminalization is something that state and federal government should oversee and should not be decided on the city level. Others say they feel those in possession, no matter how much, are “helping drug dealers” by purchasing marijuana illegally, so the penalties should stay as they are.

According to Councilmember Emmett Pepper, the new bill was forwarded to full council. It was ultimately decided that the bill would go back to the Ordinance and Rules committee.

The discussion will continue at the committee’s next meeting.

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