New Orleans Pardons Thousands For Weed Possession

New Orleans’ CBS News affiliate reports:

The New Orleans City Council pardoned thousands of people who have been cited for marijuana possession. According to Council President Helena Moreno, about 10,000 convictions and pending case penalties for small amounts of cannabis possession have been pardoned as well as any future summons.

The council hopes that the new move will help the community gain trust with New Orleans police as well as making law enforcement more available to target violent crimes in the city.

Smoking cannabis will be prohibited in public spaces, but violators will receive a ticket as a violation of the Smoke-Free Air Act instead of a drug summons. Though the City Council does not have the authority to legalize recreational marijuana, it does have the power to fully decriminalize it.

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