Morgantown Moves to Lower Marijuana Penalties

The Morgantown City Council approved an ordinance this week that lowers the penalty for possession of marijuana to a misdemeanor with a $15 fine. The West Virginia American Civil Liberties Union called it a historic decision. Morgantown police would have the discretion to charge an individual under the new ordinance or to charge them under current state and federal law. Stacy said the ordinance does not decriminalize marijuana because people could still be charged with a misdemeanor. West Virginia University Police, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office and West Virginia State Police will still charge an individual under current state and federal law.