Marijuana 'Still A Violation Of City Ordinances,' Say Atlanta Police

ATLANTA, GA -- The Atlanta Police Department has a message for those who think the city is going to pot: Weed is still against the law. The announcement comes days after the Atlanta City Council voted 15-0 to make marijuana possession a non-arrestable offense.

Police Chief Erika Shields has told local media that police officers will still enforce marijuana laws in accordance with city and state regulations. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Monday's controversial vote, hailed by marijuana advocates around the nation, was introduced in March by Councilman Kwanza Hall. But Shields has sought to bring clarity to the vote so that Atlanta residents have the right perspective.

The APD posted a message on Facebook this week that says in part that the mayor still has yet to sign the legislation recommended by city council. Below is the full text:

FYI: We are aware there is a lot of misinformation on the passage of legislation by the Atlanta City Council on Monday concerning penalties for marijuana possession, including questions about decriminalization. To be clear, possession of marijuana - in any amount - is still a violation of city ordinances and state law. The legislation passed by City Council, which is pending consideration by Mayor Kasim Reed, does not speak to enforcement of marijuana laws by police. The new legislation simply lessens penalties imposed by the Municipal Court for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana under the City Code.

Our focus here at APD is on getting violent criminals off the streets. Our officers are not out patrolling for people smoking marijuana; we’d rather focus on those committing armed robberies and other violent acts. But marijuana possession is still a crime. Officers will continue to have the discretion of writing a citation for possession of less than an ounce, or transporting the arrestee to jail for booking – that has not changed. We want to be sure people who live, work and visit the City of Atlanta are clear on any potential changes to the law with regard to marijuana possession.

Hall's legislation called for throwing out jail time for people caught with less than an ounce of marijuana. The measure would tack on a $75 fine instead of the current $1,000 penalty that is regularly given to offenders.

Hall said earlier this week that it was high time the city looked at the irreparable harm done to families from harsh prison sentences tied to marijuana possession. “Reforming the racist marijuana laws on the book in Atlanta has been just one in a number of reforms that I have fought for.”

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Reed now has the measure before him as city leaders look on. “Thank you to @KwanzaHall & @KeishaBottoms for your leadership on marijuana reform. I look forward to reviewing & signing this legislation,” Reed tweeted Monday.

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