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Galesburg Mayor to veto new marijuana bill in order to change it

By WEEK Producer
August 10, 2012 Updated Aug 10, 2012 at 10:14 PM CDT

GALESBURG, Ill -- The mayor of Galesburg will veto the city's new cannabis ordinance in order to add onto it.

Mayor Sal Garza is in favor of the new marijuana ordinance that passed in the city council on Monday, but wants to make a key change.

The new ordinance allows police to issue $300 tickets to people possessing less than 2.5 grams of marijuana instead of arresting them.

Along with the fine, Mayor Garza wants violators under the age of 18 to complete an assessment and education program.

If a youth violator does not complete the education program, he or she would face additional fines and charges.

Garza says the new rule will help keep first time offenders from repeating the offense.

He will present the vetoed ordinance and recommended changes to the city council at their September 3rd meeting.

Two-thirds of the council must vote in favor of the changes or else the veto will stand.

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