If youre a pot smoker, dont think youll get off with a $100 to $200 fine if you get caught with less than 10 grams of marijuana in Maryville.
While the State of Illinois recently passed a law lessening the fines for possession of certain amounts of marijuana to no more than $200, the Maryville Board of Trustees passed an ordinance amending the state law.
At its last regular meeting, Maryville trustees approved an ordinance making the fine for possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana no more than $750 per offense.
The law allows municipalities the authority to add to the fines and implement other penalties, such as requiring offenders to attend drug treatment.
Village attorney Ron Motil said the fine would still be an ordinance violation only and the exact amount of the fine would be determined on a case-by-case basis and would not exceed $750.
Many municipalities are doing this, Motil said. Because possession of less than 10 grams has been decriminalized by the state, law enforcement still considers cannabis an illegal substance. This gives local law enforcement the ability and the right to control that substance.
Motil said each fine will be based on the circumstances and on a case-by-case basis.
He added that the fine would still be a non-criminal citation and handled as an ordinance violation.
Prior to the passing of the new state law, possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis was a class B misdemeanor that could result in up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,500.
Motil said while the Maryville ordinance gives the police the power to issue a steeper citation, those fined do not have the burden of a criminal record.
Another section of the ordinance pertains to the use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Individuals caught in possession of drug paraphernalia will be fined no more than $750 per offense.
The ordinance contains a long list of drug paraphernalia for which an individual could be fined.
The ordinance does not apply to medical marijuana usage.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Maryville Bullish On Marijuana Use
Author: John Sommerhof
Contact: 618 656-4700
Photo Credit: Kevin J. Beaty
Website: The Intelligencer
