CLEVELAND, Ohio – Mayor Frank Jackson signed legislation Wednesday to effectively eliminate prosecution of low-level marijuana possession in the city of Cleveland.

Jackson signed an ordinance approved Monday by City Council that eliminates any fines or jail time for possession of marijuana of up to 200 grams (about 7 ounces).

People convicted of minor misdemeanor and misdemeanor possession also would not carry a criminal record and would not be required to report the conviction on applications for employment and licenses.

The changes take effect immediately.

The legislation, which had support from the administration, was pushed by Councilman Blaine Griffin, who said the lesser penalties are needed because African-Americans disproportionately face low-level possession charges.

Those marijuana records, despite being misdemeanor and minor misdemeanor level, could serve as a barrier to employment for a population often struggling to find work, he argued.

“Across the United States people are re-examining how we deal with marijuana,” Griffin said Monday. “Let this be a bold first step in how we look at 21st century policing.”

Under current law, minor misdemeanor possession – up to 100 grams of marijuana, carries a fine of up to $150. Possession of up to 200 grams, defined by the state as a 4th degree misdemeanor, can carry a fine of up to $250 and up to 30 days of imprisonment.

Cleveland doesn’t have the ability to simply legalize marijuana possession. It remains illegal under state and federal law, At the federal level, marijuana is viewed to be on the same level as cocaine and heroin.

Police would still have authority to charge and confiscate illegal marijuana.

But by eliminating the penalties for low-level possession in the city of Cleveland, the city has essentially eliminated prosecution of the crime.

The change codifies what already was happening as a matter of policy.

During City Council committee hearings, Cleveland police Chief Calvin Williams and chief Prosecutor Karrie Howard said they couldn’t think of any cases in the last year where Cleveland charged someone solely with a misdemeanor or minor misdemeanor level charge of possession.

When those charges were filed, they generally involved defendants who were found to be possessing marijuana when they were arrested for more serious crimes, they said.

The changes mirror similar actions taken in several other cities in Ohio cities. Those include Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo.

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