Philly officially relaxes penalties for marijuana possession

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia has enacted legislation that allows police to ticket people for possessing small amounts of marijuana instead of arresting them.

The statute calls for a $25 fine for anyone caught with less than an ounce of pot. The new law takes effect Oct. 20.

Councilman Jim Kenney, who sponsored the bill, compared the fine to a parking ticket. Violations won't become part of a person's criminal record.

Public consumption of marijuana will result in a $100 fine or up to nine hours of community service. The drug will also be confiscated.

Mayor Michael Nutter signed the legislation Wednesday. City Council had approved it in June.