August 28, 2014 - 3:15 AM
SANTA FE, N.M. - The Santa Fe City Council has voted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.
City officials said in a news release that the council voted 5-4 Wednesday night to approve the pot ordinance
The measure makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $25. It had been a criminal misdemeanour.
Activists had submitted enough valid voter signatures to force a public vote on the matter.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that with approval, the council hoped to avoid the costs of a vote and the uncertainty of the question even making the November ballot.
The newspaper says the vote makes Santa Fe the first city in the state to decriminalize pot.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
News from © The Associated Press, 2014