If you’re caught smoking marijuana in public in Seattle, you could be fined $27.
That’s the fine for drinking in public, but still less than a parking ticket.
The Seattle City Council approved the $27 fine on Monday – significantly less than the $103 penalty allowed by Washington state’s marijuana law.
The legislation calls for police to first issue a warning, when practical, and requires the police to monitor by age, race, sex and location. That’s so the city council can evaluate whether the law is being fairly enforced.
The measure would take effect 30 days after being signed by the mayor.
Washington voters approved Initiative 502 in November 2012, legalizing the possession of marijuana and directing the state Liquor Control Board to implement a system to regulating sales.