Albuquerque could scrap jail time for small amounts of pot

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Albuquerque could scrap jail time for small amounts of pot

By Joseph Kolb ALBUQUERQUE N.M. (Reuters) - Albuquerque in New Mexico may eliminate jail time for offenders caught with small amounts of marijuana after a city councillor proposed giving only small fines to those caught with less than an ounce of pot. City Councilor Rey Garduno says the legislation he introduced at a meeting late on Monday could save the state's biggest city as much as $5 million a year in court and jail costs. Under his plan, individuals possessing less than an ounce of marijuana would receive a $25 fine, as opposed to the current statute of 15 days in jail and a $50 fine. "We're treating people as criminals when alcohol and even tobacco may even be worse." Garduno's proposal for Albuquerque comes amid a growing movement of pro-pot advocacy across the country.

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