Chicago moves closer to reducing marijuana penalty

A measure that would give Chicago police the authority to write tickets rather than make arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana isn’t getting much opposition from the city council.

At the council’s public safety committee on Thursday, alderman raised concerns about whether the ordinance would send the wrong message to young people. But then members voted 13-1 to approve the measure. It now goes to the full council, which is expected pass the ordinance supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

The ordinance’s sponsor, Alderman Danny Solis, says it will protect public safety because it keeps officers on the street where they can fight more serious crime rather than in the station processing those arrested for small amounts of marijuana.