Dade Commission Considering Pot Punishment Change
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade is considering a change in their pot punishment.
The county commission's Metropolitan Services Committee will take an initial vote next week on a proposal that would allow police officers to fine someone caught carrying a misdemeanor amount of marijuana instead of arresting them. Top officials with the police department have supported the plan.
The misdemeanor amount would be less than 20 grams, or enough to produce three joints, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
A conviction on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Under the proposal, the county would institute a civil fine of $100 and the case would not enter the criminal system.
If the proposal passes the initial vote, it would head to the full county commission for a final vote this summer.
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.