Marijuana decriminalization took a quantum leap forward on Tuesday when the Atlanta City Council’s Public Safety Committee approved a bill to decriminalize the personal possession of marijuana (less than one ounce).

A hot topic for the 2017 Atlanta mayoral race, marijuana decriminalization took a quantum leap forward on Tuesday when the Atlanta City Council’s Public Safety Committee approved a bill to decriminalize the personal possession of marijuana (less than one ounce).

Introduced on March 20 by Atlanta City Councilman and mayoral candidate Kwanza Hall, the bill states:

“It shall be unlawful for any person to possess one ounce or less of marijuana within the corporate limits of the city. Any person found guilty of violating this section shall be subject to a maximum fine of $75 and not subjected to confinement for any period of time.”

Working hard… Ordinance to dramatically cut pot punishments heads to council https://t.co/vgjcGb803x via @wsbtv

— Kwanza Hall (@kwanzahall) September 27, 2017

If passed by Atlanta’s full city council, the decriminalization ordinance would provide greater flexibility for Atlanta’s police, specifically allowing for discretion when confronted with individual marijuana possession.

“The law would only apply in the city limits – and conflicts with a state law that calls for jail time. If it passes, it…