Forest Park has become the latest city in Georgia to reduce fines and eliminate jail time for anyone caught with an ounce or less of marijuana.
In a 3-2 vote, leaders of the Clayton County community agreed to make possession of less than an ounce of the illegal drug punishable by a fine of up to $75, but eliminated jail time. The change, however, does not make the drug legal in Forest Park -- it only changes the penalties for possession of small amounts, leaders point out.
The move follows similar changes for possession of small amounts of pot in Clarkston, the city of South Fulton, Atlanta and Savannah.
Supporters of the lessened charges argue that it helps reduce the population of those in America’s jails who have only been charged with a possession offense. It also helps to address an over-representation of African-Americans who are arrested for possession of small amounts of pot, supporters say.
Opponents of marijuana legalization say that addressing the racial disparity in arrests in noble, but call it a smoke screen by the pot industry to keep minority and poor communities hooked on the drug.
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