This week, the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan City Council voted 8-4 in favor of an ordinance to decriminalize marijuana in East Baton Rouge Parish, which includes the state capital of Baton Rouge. If Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome signs the ordinance, it will go into effect on March 31.
“This would be a significant step toward repairing the devastating harms of mass criminalization on communities of color,” said Michelle Wright, policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance. “The data shows that arrests for marijuana possession are largely based on race and class. Black people are arrested for marijuana possession at three times the rate of white people in Louisiana, even though both groups use marijuana at similar rates.”
Following the ordinance change, co-authored by East Baton Rouge City Councilmembers LaMont Cole and Chandler Loupe, a first-time marijuana possession offense with less than 14 grams would carry a fine of $40. A second-time offense would carry a fine of $60, a third-time offense would be $80, and each subsequent offense would carry a fine of $100. Traditionally, the law mandated that those in possession of under 14 g or less face a possible sentence of 15 days in jail and a $300 fine, even for a first offense.
-
Related Story: This State Just Moved Closer To Decriminalizing All Drugs
“I don’t think we should spend police resources on this,” said Councilman Chandler Loupe, who is sponsoring the ordinance change, adding that he would “rather see police spend their time on other crimes.”
Nationally, support for marijuana legalization is at an all-time high – with nearly two-thirds of Americans supporting legalization, including a majority of Republicans. In recent months, Atlanta, GA and Jackson, MS have enacted marijuana decriminalization ordinances. In 2016, Nashville and New Orleans became the first cities in the Deep South to approve marijuana decriminalization.
-
Related Story: Great News For N.H. Cannabis Consumers: No More Jail Time
Unfortunately, throughout most of the Deep South, harsh marijuana laws remain the norm. Black and brown people are arrested, convicted, and sentenced for drug law violations at disproportionately high rates. This means that while some people in legal marijuana states may profit from manufacturing and selling marijuana, people in other states – especially people of color – are still arrested and incarcerated in massive numbers for merely possessing it. The consequences of these harsh policies have been devastating for millions of individuals, their families, and communities.
“The adjustments we are attempting to make in terms of marijuana enforcement is the first step in long-term crime prevention,” said Councilmember LaMont Cole, who co-authored the ordinance.
“For far too long in our community, we have allowed the penalties for marijuana to create a caste system keeping people from participating in the American vision,” added Cole. “If we want safer communities where citizens feel empowered to take advantage of opportunities we must follow the lead of larger cities and help our citizens. Thankfully we were able to take a step in that direction today.”
