CLEVELANDURBANNEWS.COM, CLEVELAND, Ohio- Cleveland City Council at its meeting on Monday passed historic legislation introduced by Ward 6 Councilman Blaine Griffin (pictured) that decriminalizes marijuana possession up to 200 grams, or seven ounces, a new city law that mirrors similar laws currently in other cities in Ohio, including Cincinnati, and Columbus.

The new law effectively eliminates prosecution for low level marijuana offenses.

Those convicted would face a minor misdemeanor similar to a traffic ticket, and a fine, no criminal record, and no requirement to report it on applications for employment and licenses.

A Black east side councilman and former Community Relations Board director, Griffin said the new law would help address uneven enforcement against Blacks and other minorities, Cleveland a largely Black major American city of some 385,000 people.

The councilman said Black people are five to seven times more likely to get "these types of charges than their White counterparts."

The new city ordinance awaits expected approval from Mayor Frank Jackson, the city's third Black mayor, and is expected to take effect as early as next week.

The current law or city ordinance allows for fines, and up to six-months behind bars.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read digital Black newspaper and Black blog, both also at the top in Black digital news in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com