The D.C. Council will consider a bill to decriminalize marijuana during its Feb. 4 legislative session.
Council member Tommy Wells has proposed a measure that recommends a $25 civil penalty for marijuana possession. Current law makes possession punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Mr. Wells has cited racial disparities in the arrests made for marijuana possession as the reason for reform.
The bill has broad support among the 13-member council, though several members indicated during a hearing Thursday that they are likely to introduce amendments before the vote.
A separate bill that would legalize marijuana is pending in the council, and activists are also leading an effort to put legalization on the ballot in November.
• Matthew Cella can be reached at mcella@washingtontimes.com.
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