ST. LOUIS • A bill filed this week that would allow marijuana to be used, sold and grown in St. Louis aims to reduce disproportionate penalties for existing violations and free up time for police to focus on crimes with victims.

The bill, sponsored by Alderman Megan Green, 15th Ward, would stop enforcement of any laws that permit “the civil or criminal punishment for the use or possession of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia against any individual or entity,” except under certain circumstances.

Civil or criminal penalties could be enforced on anyone using marijuana under the age of 21, selling to someone under 21, or possessing more than 2 ounces of marijuana or more than 10 marijuana plants for cultivation. Under the measure, consumption of marijuana anywhere but on private residential property would be limited.

The plan would allow the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to focus on violent, more serious crime at a time when police resources are limited, Green said.

The proposal also would make it illegal to refuse to hire or to terminate someone for legally using marijuana under the parameters of the ordinance.