By Nick Gale, WLS News

(CHICAGO)  New legislation is being rolled out that would reduce current penalties for people caught with small amounts of Marijuana.

State Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago says the court and prison systems are clogged with small time offenders, so her bill would remove criminal penalties and issue tickets instead for those caught with small amounts of pot.

This bill will make a ticket possible for anyone possessing 10 grams or less of marijuana,” Cassidy said. “The fine for the ticket would range from $100 to $200 and once paid there would be no mark on someone’s record. It would not leave a record it would be automatically expunged.”

In 2012, Chicago adopted an ordinance allowing police to issue tickets of $250 to $500 for someone caught with up to 15 grams of pot and earlier this year the Cook County state’s attorney’s office says it would dismiss misdemeanor marijuana cases.

Cassidy’s law would take effect statewide.

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