Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington said she and other county officials are collaborating on a policy that would put an end to arrests for some non-violent misdemeanors, including simple marijuana possession.

“Since 2017, I have been advocating for a policy of cite and release for certain non-violent misdemeanors,’’ Washington said in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon. “It is no secret that Jefferson County, like others around the country, is plagued with overcrowded jails.”

“Now that the Jefferson County, Bessemer jail is closed for renovations, the need to address overcrowding is even more urgent,’’ she said.

Washington said she, Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and Sheriff Mark Pettway have collaborated to implement the procedure, which is known as the “Big Ticket.”

Specifically, she said, it is a Uniform Non-Traffic Citation and Complaint form. In practice, the procedure allows an individual to sign his or her own recognizance bond in lieu of arrest, assuring their presence in future court matters related to the citation charge.

Washington said there is a list of offenses that would fall under the “Big Ticket” program, including simple marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment. A complete list of applicable offenses has not yet been released.

Carr on Tuesday wrote to Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith, urging him to have his department observe the policy.

“I truly believe our limited resources should be focused on more serious offenses,” Carr wrote. “I’m not advocating the use of marijuana, just acknowledging the ability to cite and release personal use marijuana cases would benefit law enforcement, Courts, and the community.”

Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. David Agee said the sheriff’s office may release more information about the program early next week.

The sheriff’s office, Washington said, is in the process of ordering the ticket books needed to officially launch the effort. Other details have mostly been finalized. “We’re ready to go,’’ she told AL.com.

Washington’s comments on the “Big Ticket” were part of a statement released about a reported event scheduled for Saturday - a “Decriminalize Bham Day Party” sponsored by activist Carlos Chaverst. The event listed Washington, Carr and Pettway as guest speakers at the event.

“To be clear, I will not be in attendance at what has been described as a ‘Decriminalize Bham Day Party’ or any other event sponsored by Mr. Chaverst. Further, I have neither spoken to, nor met with Mr. Chaverst, regarding this issue or any other topic related to marijuana,’’ Washington wrote. Pettway also never planned to attend the event.

“It was without my permission and knowledge that Mr. Chaverst attached my name to a flyer advertising what can only be characterized as a ‘pot-smoking party.’ I cannot imagine why and decline to speculate as to Mr. Chaverst motives in creating such fiction.”

Chaverst told AL.com Wednesday that two separate events were planned for Saturday, and the event that named the guest speakers has been canceled.

A planned “smoke-out,” however, will go on he said and will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at a location that will be announced shortly before it is to begin “for security and safety reasons.”

The press release on that event says organizers are expecting more than “1,000 of Birmingham’s stoners to participate.”

“Each year, thousands of innocent men and women are arrested and incarcerated for low level cannabis possession,’’ according to Chaverst’s release.

“We are asking Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin to join other cities across the country by decriminalizing cannabis within the Birmingham city limits. Doing so will reduce the number of non-violent offenders, keep our jails and prisons from overcrowding and increases stability within the local economy.”