Pot Penalties Reduced, a Veteran Lights a Joint at Philadelphia's City Hall

By Kara Seymour

Reduced penalties for smoking and possessing marijuana are now in effect in Philadelphia and one local Marine says he was proud to receive the first citation.

U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran Mike Whiter, an activist who wants to see marijuana decriminalized, received the citation Monday—the first day the new penalties went into effect.

In a deliberate display of celebration of the reduced penalties, Whiter walked into the outdoor rotunda at City Hall and lit a marijuana joint. He was subsequently issued a $100 ticket.

Under Philadelphia’s new fine structure, those caught using marijuana in public face a $100 fine. Those in possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana get a $25 fine.

A press release issued by the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said Whiter’s interaction with police was “brief and upbeat.”

“Today, I smoked marijuana in the center of City Hall in Philadelphia. Something that I would have gotten arrested and processed for yesterday was only a $100 code violation today,” Whiter said.

“This is a huge step in Philadelphia and this law is framework for the rest of the state to follow, but we still don’t have safe, legal access to medicine. This war is far from over, but we have won a battle in Philadelphia.”