Marijuana Leniency Begins Today in Philadelphia

By Peter Mucha

Starting today, anyone apprehended in Philadelphia with about an ounce of marijuana or less could see the charges downgraded to a summary offense.

Take a class, pay a $200 fine and any record would be expunged – that’s what is likely to happen now in several thousand cases a year, said Deputy District Attorney Ed McCann.

Just don’t expect hands-off treatment by police, if you’re caught with a small amount of marijuana, defined as 30 grams or less.

“You’re still arrested, you’re still brought in, you’re still fingerprinted, you’re still given a prelim,” said Tasha Jamerson, spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.

Only at the preliminary arraignment are procedures changing, as many cases will be “diverted” from misdemeanor charges, said McCann.

That won’t be automatic either. Read original article