Possession of a small amount of marijuana will no longer get you arrested in Folcroft Borough, writes Vinny Vella for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The seven-member borough council unanimously approved a measure Monday, July 20, to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Folcroft is the first Delaware County town to do so.
Now anyone found in possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hashish in Folcroft will face a $100 fine instead of being arrested.
“We believe it was inappropriate for officers to be arresting residents for possession, and giving them criminal records, when a fine would be more appropriate for personal use,” said Borough Manager Andrew Hayman. “This allows us to allocate resources in other areas.”
The measure was a priority for Folcroft’s new Democratic council members and was discussed back in March. The pandemic delayed voting until Monday.
The measure has the support of the Folcroft police department as well as Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, according to Council President Joseph Papaleo.
County Council may introduce legislation this fall supporting marijuana decriminalization in other communities, Stollsteimer said.
Read more about this change in Folcroft’s marijuana law here.
