Low fines for marijuana in Clarkston stop short of legalization
Since the city of Clarkston recently reduced low-level marijuana possession fines to $75, the lowest penalty in Georgia, not much has changed on the streets.
The reduced fine hasn't led to more marijuana citations, and the suburban city of about 12,500 people hasn't become a drug haven.
Local police have ticketed eight people for marijuana possession of less than an ounce since lower fine ordinance passed July 5 — the same number of citations as July and August of last year.
Marijuana remains illegal under state and federal laws, but in Clarkston, police usually use their town’s ordinance with the $75 fine, though offenders could face more severe consequences if they committed other crimes as well.
About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
