Disagreement on decriminalizing marijuana

Johns Creek officials disagreed on decriminalization of marijuana during a Monday meeting. City Coun- cil members opposed to a reduced penalty for simple possession said they were concerned that marijuana is a gateway to more dan- gerous drugs.

Council members Chris Coughlin, Erin Elwood and Stephanie Endres proposed that a person in possession of less than one ounce of cannabis face no jail time and a fine of not more than $75.

The current fine for simple possession is up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Elwood argued that offi- cials opposed to a change in the city’s ordinance were making a moral decision and not a legal one. The proposed change to the law would not legalize the drug. Georgia law doesn’t allow cities or counties to legalize possession of marijuana.

Elwood said decriminal- ization of the drug would lower the number of inter- actions between residents and police officers.

“I think this is a time when we’re all looking at criminal justice and policing in terms of how can we do better,” Elwood said. The punish- ment for possession of mar- ijuana is disproportionate for people of color

Mayor Mike Bodker and opposing council members said they preferred to trust the city solicitor and judges with cases that include marijuana possession.

Family experiences played a role in positions for and against the measure. Cough- lin said his father purchased marijuana out of state to help with physical pain and men- tal trauma that he has had since serving in the Viet- nam War. Councilman Lenny Zaprowski said a cousin, who died from drug abuse, started on the path with marijuana.