Marijuana Possession May Be Decriminalized In Fulton County

ATLANTA, GA — Possessing a small amount of marijuana in Fulton County may not be much of a big deal soon, under a new ordinance being considered by the county commission.

The ordinance, which Fulton County Commission members could consider as early as their meeting Wednesday afternoon, would limit the penalty for possession of an ounce of marijuana or less to no more than a $75 fine.

The proposal specifically states that "no imprisonment" would be part of the penalty for such minor possession. It is listed as a "discussion item" on the agenda for the commission's Wednesday meeting.

The change would impact unincorporated areas in Fulton County and would mirror a similar ordinance enacted by the City of Atlanta last year. Commissioners are urging other cities in Fulton County to consider similar legislation.

Commissioners including Chairman Rob Pitts, District 4's Natalie Hall and District 5's Marvin Arrington, Jr. have scheduled a briefing after Wednesday's commission meeting to discuss the proposal.

In October, then-Mayor Kasim Reed signed into law a new ordinance essentially decriminalizing marijuana in the City of Atlanta. Under the ordinance, the penalty for possession of one ounce of marijuana or less was capped at a $75 fine and jail time also was eliminated as an option.

"People of color, young and low-income people are disproportionately jailed – with sentences up to six months – for possessing small amounts of marijuana," Reed said at the time. "An average of 1,000 people are arrested each year in Atlanta for possession only. We needed to change that. I believe our public safety resources are better directed to stopping and preventing violent crime."

The moves in Atlanta and Fulton County follow a wave of similar changes across the country, where local lawmakers are increasingly reconsidering the impact of harsh sentences for simple possession of marijuana.

Rica Madrid poses for a photograph as she rolls a joint in her home on the first day of legal possession of marijuana for recreational purposes, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, in Washington D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)