Volusia County officials have voted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the county council voted on Thursday to give law officers the discretion to ticket people who possess 20 grams of marijuana or less. Under the new policy, violators would be fined $100 instead of being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. County council member Josh Wagner says that the war on drugs didn't work and that it only filled jails. He says officers will still have the right to arrest people if they become belligerent. The ordinance will only apply to possessions. It will still be illegal to drive a car under the influence of the drug. The ordinance will take effect April 1 and will cover unincorporated Volusia, including the beaches.

Volusia County officials have voted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that the county council voted on Thursday to give law officers the discretion to ticket people who possess 20 grams of marijuana or less. Under the new policy, violators would be fined $100 instead of being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

Advertisement Related Content Volusia County’s marijuana decriminalization law begins

County council member Josh Wagner says that the war on drugs didn't work and that it only filled jails. He says officers will still have the right to arrest people if they become belligerent.

The ordinance will only apply to possessions. It will still be illegal to drive a car under the influence of the drug.

The ordinance will take effect April 1 and will cover unincorporated Volusia, including the beaches.