During a committee meeting on February 25, Easton City Council member proposed a new policy in Easton that would decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana. He started by saying that neither he nor anyone in his family uses this controlled substance. He himself hates the smell. But his proposal is based on equality. He made the following points:
1) A person who is charged with and pleads to possession of a small amount of marijuana is usually just fined $25, but it will still be listed as a drug conviction on his or her criminal record.
2) Throughout the state, 17 municipalities have reduced the offense from misdemeanor to summary offense, the equivalent of a parking ticket. This includes Allentown and Bethlehem. It's still on your record but won't hinder you if you try to get a job, a rental or a license.
3) National statistics show there is just a two percent difference in marijuana usage between white persons and persons of color. But people of color are four times more likely to be charged with marijuana-related infractions.
4) Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes, arguing that there would be legal sales of $530 million per year.
5) In a recent poll, 63% of those surveyed support legalization in Pa. (85% Democrats, 62% Independents, 53% Republicans).
6) Easton's median income is $10,000 below the state average, meaning it is largely a lower middle-class population. Easton's population is 43% black or Hispanic. They are thus more likely to face prosecution for simple possession of a small amount if marijuana.
7) Easton borders New Jersey, where marijuana has been legalized both medicinally and recreationally since 2021. Half of NJ's sales are to Pa. residents.
8) There has been speculation that decriminalization would turn festivals like Baconfest into weed fest. But Bethlehem City Council member Rachel Leon has seen adverse effect on Bethlehem's festivals.
Under Pintabone's proposal, possession of a small amount would be a summary offense with the following fines: $90 for first offense; $180 for second offense: and $270 for third offense.
Chief Carl Scalzo voiced some concerns, including administration of the law. He'd prefer to see it done on a state level. He is also fearful that this could offer a beacon to those who might think Easton is a "weed friendly" city that bear a relation to violent crime often associated with drugs.
Council member Crystal Rose agrees that giving someone a criminal record for possession of a joint is "antiquated." But she thinks the fines should be reduced.
Council member Roger Ruggles suggested that this could be pre-empted by state law, but Solicitor Jeremy Clark opined that is unlikely.
Mayor Sal Panto had no problem with a $90 fine. "You pay that for a carton of cigarettes," he observed. He argued that fines need to be stiff to prevent people from smoking in public.
Administrator Luis Campos suggested that this could lead to a proliferation of people smoking downtown in public.
What do you think of this proposal?
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