Doylestown Borough Considers Relaxing Marijuana Enforcement

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Recognizing the growing support for marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania, Doylestown Borough officials may follow the example of other local municipalities that have decriminalized marijuana possession in recent months.

Borough officials discussed the possibility of relaxing its enforcement of marijuana possession laws during a meeting of the Public Safety Commission Wednesday night, with most members appearing to support the change in policy.

Under state law, a charge of marijuana possession of 30 grams or less can result in a misdemeanor conviction, which can create obstacles for young people with college aspirations, Central Bucks Regional Police Chief Karl Knott said.

"Often you get a youngster out there with a small amount of marijuana, and under state law we're required to charge them with a misdemeanor," Knott said. "That crime doesn't go away, so when that child wants to join the military or go to college, that comes back to haunt them. It's my belief that is not what the police department is for."

Knott said marijuana legalization is probably inevitable, but until then, the borough can pass an ordinance that directs the police department to issue a citation in place of a misdemeanor charge.

"Any progressive police department would look at this as a win," he said.

In October, West Norriton Township became the second Montgomery County municipality to decriminalize marijuana after Norristown did it in 2019. In Lehigh County, the city of Bethlehem voted to decriminalize weed, which led to divisions between the city and its police department.

Any legislation in Doylestown Borough would likely mirror the ordinances passed by those municipalities, Chief Knott said. Because Central Bucks Regional Police Department also covers the boroughs of Chalfont and New Britain, those municipalities would need to pass their own ordinances.

While Gov. Tom Wolf and state democratic leaders have pushed for recreational marijuana to be legalized, they've faced resistance from Republicans leadership, who cite public health and safety concerns.

New Jersey voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana, but legislation is still needed to create the official framework for legalizing personal use of the drug.

Related: Recreational Marijuana In PA: Gov Wants It, But How Likely Is It?

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