DAYTON — Marijuana is on its way to being decriminalized in the city of Dayton after voters approved the idea by passing Issue 8 Tuesday.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Nearly 75 percent of voters want pot decriminalized
The new ordinance will take away penalties for possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana, including eliminating fines and potentially jail punishments.
“If they got proof of what they're using it for, then I see no problem with that, but recreational use, no, I don't agree with that,” said one resident.
Many say the approved idea will help those who need the drug for medical purposes.
The ordinance will not protect anyone who has more than 100 grams of marijuana, or allow trafficking of the drug.
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The city prosecutor’s office, the Dayton Police Department and the city manager’s office will meet to iron out exact details of the ordinance.
Once finalized, some levels of marijuana possession and usage will become legal in the city and some police procedures could possibly be changed. City planners expect it to be a narrow interpretation for limited usage of pot, but still tightly controlled.
“Staff will present options to commission and city managers. Those conversations are ongoing,” Assistant City Prosecutor Martin Gehres said.
Though Issue 8 is sparking several high-level conversations, it could be weeks or even months before it’s approved by the city commission.
Dayton joins a growing list of cities across the country that have decreased or removed the penalties for lower-level marijuana violations, including Toledo, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Detroit, Mich.