NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — The New Smyrna Beach City Commission voted Tuesday to pass an ordinance making possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana a misdemeanor violation.
Proponents of the ordinance argued that its passage would reduce the number of people being charged with non-violent crimes and reduce the local jail population.
Police officers will now have the ability to use their own discretion to arrest someone for possession of marijuana and/or drug paraphernalia, or fine them up to $103.
The passage of the ordinance aligns the city with a Volusia County ordinance that gives deputies discretion in cases involving marijuana possession.
The New Smyrna Beach ordinance goes into effect immediately.
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/RKP2UGFHWFGGDOLTP3JCLVXKOU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/WTJSKB6N5BDXBOM66DX2WJO3DI.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LVO2IIZNTJDGLEPD7JKH4JDCX4.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/DGDPRSDCXJGNZMKG6QWHVK7NBQ.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SABNFABYBRDHVK2QN47QTXXM6I.PNG)