Cannabis decriminalized in New Orleans, 10,000 cannabis convictions pardoned – Latest cannabis news today
Cannabis decriminalized in New Orleans
On Thursday, August 5th, New Orleans took a historic step. The New Orleans City Council passed a series of articles to put cannabis-related charges and all future charges against it. To effectively decriminalize cannabis, the city is looking to work with the NOPD to end the war on weed. While they can’t fully legalize it at the state level, they are working to allow the department to focus on serious crimes.
The unanimous vote pardoned an estimated 10,000 people summoned to court for possession of cannabis. In addition, the city council plans to pardon any future allegations of cannabis possession. However, smoking weed in public is still prohibited, but as a violation of the smoke-free air law and not as a drug offense. The decision brings New Orleans as close as possible to full legalization of cannabis and comes amid a broader shift in public attitudes towards cannabis in the United States.
“The time to end the criminalization of cannabis possession is now,” said Councilor Helena Moreno.
An end to criminalization
In the United States, cannabis is decriminalized in 37 states. Recreational use of cannabis is legal in 19 states, and another 17 states, including Louisiana, have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes. While this decision doesn’t legalize cannabis use, it will decriminalize possession of up to 14 grams.
The United States has been fighting the war on drugs for nearly 80 years. These legislative changes, particularly in the United States, are a step towards justice in the country and beyond. Moreno reiterated the enforcement bias, with statistics showing that 86 percent of subpoenas were issued to blacks. “We will no longer lock people up in the criminal justice system,” Adrian Bruneau of New Orleans told KLFY.
Before the new law comes into force, the proposal is awaiting scrutiny by the entire city council. The process can take several weeks.
Post a comment: