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WEBVTT HISTORICAL WRONG. REPORTER: JUST PASTOR WANTS TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN CINCINNATI. >> I THINK THE TREND IS WE’RE GOING FORWARDS FULL LEGALIZATION. FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL TRENDS WITH STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA AND MASSACHUSETTS. TYPICALLY, THEY START OFF WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION. REPORTER: THE LEGISLATION IS ALREADY BEING DRAFTED. >> WHAT FORM IT HAS DONE AND TO FULLY DECRIMINALIZE. REPORTER: A CROWDED CITY COUNCIL TOOK WELL TO THE IDEA. SO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WE TALKED WITH ALL THE STREET. >> I THINK THEY SHOULD DO IT. IT IS LEGAL AND OTHER PLACES. I THINK THEY SHOULD DO IT. REPORTER ANYONE WITH LESS THAN 200 GRAMS OR UNDER HALF POUND OF CANNABIS CANNOT BE FINED OR FACE JAIL TIME. IT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO COUNCIL AND VOTERS. WHAT COULD BE A MAJOR HURDLE IS GETTING POLICE ON BOARD. >> I AM OPEN TO HEARING WHAT THEY MAY HAVE TO SAY. REPORTER: THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND COUNCIL WILL VOTE. THE PUBLIC COULD WEIGH IN AS SOON AS 201

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Cincinnati could be the next Ohio city to decriminalize marijuana. Two City Councilmen are proposing legislation to get the issue on the ballot. It would mean that anyone caught in the city with a small amount of marijuana would not face jail time or have to pay a fine. "Historically speaking, we need to correct a historical wrong that has been meted out against marijuana usage," Councilman Jeff Pastor said. Pastor said decriminalizing the drug is a "small step toward criminal justice reform.""I think the trend now is that we're going to a full recreational legislation probably three or four years out. Following the national trends with states like California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and Washington, typically they start off with medical marijuana legislation and then recreational legislation," he said.Pastor plans to partner with Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman, the lead sponsor of a decriminalization ordination already in the drafting phase.Smitherman said the details are still being worked out and emphasized that community members will have several opportunities to weigh in on the discussion.The pending legislation follows a similar push by the city of Norwood. Voters in Norwood passed a cannabis ordinance in November that means anyone caught with less than 200 grams, or just under a half-pound, cannot be fined or face jail time. Pastor brought up Norwood's ordinance at a packed City Council meeting Wednesday night."I would like to work with my colleagues and my colleague specifically to come up with legislation to follow what Norwood has done and to fully decriminalize and to stop the enforcement of marijuana possession in this city," he said.One of the biggest obstacles for passing a similar ordinance in Ohio could be getting the Cincinnati Police Department to support it. "I don't see victimless crimes as something that's a top priority for the police departments," Pastor said. "But then again, I'm open to hearing what they may have to say."Once the ordinance is ready, one of the council members will add it to council's agenda to introduce it. Smitherman said a series of public hearings will follow before council votes, deciding if the issue should go on the ballot.If all goes as planned, that could happen in 2019 or 2020.