Related: 6 months after the vote: Marijuana decriminalization 'pilot' starts today in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Just three hours after the city decriminalized marijuana, a 28-year-old man Grand Rapids man received the first citation early today.

The suspect, who lives on the Northwest Side, faces a $25 fine under the charter amendment.

Court records show an offense date of May 1. The offense description: "Violation Charter Para. 292/Use-Poss Mj."

The law took effect nearly six months after approval by voters in the city – held up by Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth’s legal challenge.

Grand Rapids police have been told to enforce “minor” marijuana cases as civil infractions, rather than misdemeanors.

Kent County Circuit Judge Paul Sullivan is expected to soon issue an opinion on the legality of the charter amendment. City leaders and backers of decriminalization believe that the judge will uphold the amendment.

City Manager Greg Sundstrom issued an executive order to begin decriminalization today. There are cases he said should be referred to county prosecutors, including possession of more than 2½ ounces of marijuana.

E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar