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Kennesaw council debates trimming misdemeanor cannabis penalties but keeps state limits in view
Summary
Councilmember Anthony proposed changing local wording to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession to a $500 maximum fine or community service; city attorneys said state law still allows higher maximums and the city currently rarely prosecutes these cases because lab testing is not available.
Councilmember Anthony proposed at the June 30 Kennesaw work session that the city revise its ordinance for simple misdemeanor cannabis possession to replace the current language allowing "up to 12 months in prison and a fine not exceeding $1,000" with a penalty of "a fine not exceeding $500 or community service or both." The proposal prompted a lengthy council discussion about local practice, state law and diversion programs.
The change would alter local ordinance wording but would not remove state law maximums, council legal staff said. "You cannot change state law," the City Attorney said, adding that state law still establishes misdemeanor maximums. The Assistant Solicitor told…
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