Nov. 02--Mayor Rahm Emanuel today indicated he's undecided on an ordinance that would see Chicago police issue tickets instead of make arrests for those caught with a small amount of marijuana.
"This issue has two parts to it, not one. The first part which is what's motivating people. . . is the issue of the cost to the system, arrests, overtime, court, jail. Then there's also the criminal justice side. I have to evaluate and will evaluate both, not one or the other," Emanuel said.
"If you look at other cities that have done something like this, they have also created their own set of problems," Emanuel said. "If we do it, and if I put my support, which I'm not doing yet, I want to look at it from both sides and be thoughtful."
Emanuel was asked about the marijuana ticket proposal that was introduced at today's City Council meeting.
Supporters of the plan presented city arrest data that they said shows police disproportionately arrest minorities under current laws. The numbers, however, could not be immediately verified. Ald. Danny Solis, 25th, said his staff pulled the information from the city's web site.
Solis wants the city to issue tickets with $200 fines rather than arrest people caught with 10 grams or less of marijuana.
Solis has said issuing tickets for pot possession could help get more Chicago police onto the streets, rather than spending time processing arrests for small amounts of marijuana.
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