Seth Williams: "We are not decriminalizing marijuana"

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Seth Williams: "We are not decriminalizing marijuana"

POSTED: Monday, April 5, 2010, 7:47 PM
Filed Under: Drugs | News

The Inquirer may have overstated today's good weed news. Like we told you earlier, the Inky reported that the state Supreme Court and District Attorney Seth Williams have announced that the penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana in Philly will become more lax starting at end of April. (The title of the Inky story is, in fact, "Philadelphia to ease marijuana penalty.") But check out this press release we just got from Williams:

We are not decriminalizing marijuana — any effort like that would be one for the legislature to undertake. The penalty available for these minimal amount offenses remains exactly the same. What we are doing is properly dealing with cases involving minimal amounts of marijuana in the most efficient and cost effective process possible. Those arrested for these offenses will still be restrained, identified and processed by police in police custody. They will still have to answer to the charges, but they will be doing so in a speedier and more efficient process. We want to use valuable court resources in the best way possible and we believe that means giving minor drug offenders the option of getting into diversionary programs, get drug education or enter drug treatment centers. Again we are NOT decriminalizing marijuana, and the penalty for these offenses remains the same.

We'll update as we find out more.

PREVIOUSLY >> Weed is practically decriminalized in Philly


chronicjunky
Posted 2010-04-21 18:26:12
awww yea...you go Seth!

:::Philebrity…media, culture, music and more::: » Blog Archive » This Just In: Let The Seth Williams Backpedaling Dance Party Begin!
Posted 2010-04-05 15:25:16
[...] Being Painted Over Today?This Just In: Let The Seth Williams Backpedaling Dance Party Begin!From a press release just sent out by D.A. Seth Williams:We are not decriminalizing marijuana — any effort like that would be one for the legislature to [...] 

Weedlover714
Posted 2010-04-13 18:23:00
Who is Seth Williams? I don't get this article. weird.

Weed is decriminalized in Philly starting today. Just kidding, Seth Williams. :: The Clog :: Blog Archive :: Staff Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper
Posted 2010-06-08 14:20:26
[...] Seth Williams: "We are not decriminalizing marijuana"   Tags: marijuana, seth williams   Weed is decriminalized in Philly starting today. Just kidding, [...] 
Posted by Holly Otterbein @ 7:47 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
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