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Toledo marijuana law abolishes jail time, fines

Posted at 5:11 PM, Jan 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-17 17:12:16-05

Part of a recently adopted ordinance in northwest Ohio that abolished jail terms and fines for possessing small amounts of marijuana is already in effect despite a legal challenge.

The Blade reports Toledo residents in September approved an initiative that wrote a new ordinance into the city's municipal code aimed at decriminalizing marijuana and hashish possession.

Both drugs are illegal under the Sensible Marijuana Ordinance, but Toledo's new ordinance reduces all penalties.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and others filed suit to block sections of the law that attempt to rewrite state felony law regarding amounts of marijuana.

A review of Toledo Municipal Court cases revealed that a woman convicted of marijuana possession since the ordinance was approved was sentenced to no fines and no jail time.