Minneapolis pares back marijuana possession law

The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to reduce the penalty for possession of marijuana.

A city ordinance currently classifies simple possession as a misdemeanor. Those convicted could serve up to 90 days in jail. But state law classifies possession as a petty misdemeanor, which doesn't carry jail time and isn't classified as a crime in state statute.

The change will bring the Minneapolis ordinance in line with state law.

City Council member Jacob Frey is a sponsor of the change. He said Minneapolis police don't typically use the city ordinance to bring charges, but he wanted the change anyway.

"Serious charges should be reserved for charges that are seriously injurious to society, and possessing a joint quite simply does not rise to that level," he said.

Frey also said the change was what he called an important first step toward decriminalization.

The City Council unanimously approved the change.