Marijuana Smokers Will Still Be Arrested At Lollapalooza

CHICAGO (CBS) -- You might think as Lollapalooza kicks off that the music festival would be the perfect incubator for Chicago's new marijuana policy, but such is not the case.

As WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner reports, starting Saturday, police will be able to issue $250 tickets for those caught with small amounts of marijuana, and Lollapalooza attracts plenty of fans who are likely to light up a joint.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner reports

But police told the Chicago Tribune the ticketing provision will not apply inside the festival, which takes place on fenced-in grounds at Grant Park.

Those caught on park land with less than 15 grams of cannabis will be arrested, police told the newspaper.

Last year, police made no marijuana arrests at all among the 250,000 people who passed through the Lollapalooza gates.

The City Council in June approved the ordinance making the possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable by only a ticket in most cases.

The ordinance gives police officers the option of giving offenders caught with grams of marijuana or less a ticket with a fine of $250 to $500 for first offense. Anyone caught a second time within 30 days will face an automatic $500 fine.

But under the ordinance anyone caught smoking marijuana in public will still be arrested, as will anyone caught with marijuana on school grounds, or at a public park. Anyone under the age of 17 will not be eligible for a ticket, nor will anyone who isn't carrying proper ID when they are caught.

In:
• Marijuana
• Dave Berner