NORTH YORK, Pa. — Possessing small amounts of marijuana will still be a crime in North York, York County, at least for now.
Ordinance 2024-03 was passed in a 3-2 council vote, with one member absent. However, Mayor Nancy Brunk announced immediately after that she would be submitting a veto.
The ordinance would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, making it a summary offense with a $50 to $100 fine.
Mayor Brunk declined to comment on her decision after the meeting.
Borough President Seth Hightman voted in favor of the ordinance and cited movements in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. for decriminalization.
"38 of 50 states have some form of medical or decriminalization, and 24 of 50 have outright recreational use," Hightman said. "I think if you asked any regular member of the community they have no problem with it either."
Enforcement concerns were brought up to a representative of the Northern York County Regional Police Department, which has jurisdiction in the borough.
"The District Attorney of York says follow state guidelines," a representative from the Northern York County Regional Police Department (NYCRPD) said.
Councilman Joel Collier, one of two who voted against enacting 2024-03, says the ordinance would give people a false sense of security.
"If you do get caught with a gram or whatever the case is and you think you're okay, he has to go by the state guidelines," Collier said. "So now you’re in trouble regardless, when you thought you were safe."
He also points to an increase in marijuana-related arrests in neighboring York as a result of their ban.
Hightman says the measure would establish the community’s stance on the matter.
"This is where true governance happens, on our local level," he said. "This ordinance is us putting a monument of this is our society and our communities position on marijuana.”
The proposed ordinance will go up for a vote at the next meeting and need at least five votes in favor, a majority plus one, to override the mayor’s veto.
State laws will be enforced on all marijuana possession offenders in the borough, whether or not this passes. That's a misdemeanor charge with a fine of up to $500 and 30 days in jail.