There's a growing push to smoke out old possession laws all across South Florida. Miami-Dade County was the first to propose just ticketing people who have pot and next week commissioners will vote on the measure.
"I think the whole idea of just arresting or giving any type of reprimand for possession of something that grows from the earth is B.S.," said Leonard Mack, 31, who studies law at Barry University. He knows about the issue first-hand. His criminal record is stained with one count of possession of cannabis.
"It was in my car on the passenger seat and even though I have participated in the use of cannabis, that particular night, that didn't belong to me, that belonged to a friend of mine," Mack said.
That's the only thing on Mack's rap sheet and it's there to stay for a while.
"And having that on my record hinders me and could possibly hinder me from certain things in life that I could've obtained," he said.
New legislation is in the works in at least two counties and two cities that would change that. Proposals in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Miami Beach and now Hallandale Beach would give offenders like Mack another chance.
"This is a way of taking minor offenses out of the criminal justice system," said Hallandale Commissioner Keith London.
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London is the latest to draft a revised ordinance that would allow officers to issue a citation for anyone in possession of 20 grams or less of pot. Currently violators are taken to jail.
"I think that the problem with arresting people is that it creates such a tremendous burden on society for one, and burdens on their family for another," said Karen Goldstein of the Florida chapter of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
The fine in all of the areas considering the change would be $100. Miami-Dade says the change could save taxpayers $10 million per year by weeding out minor arrests. Still some residents are wary.
"It shouldn't be here at all. Period," said one skeptic.
"Well I know it'll be good for people with medical problems but when you're driving I don't think it's too good of an idea," added another.
