St. Louis aldermen move to repeal city marijuana ordinance

ST. LOUIS (AP)- The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has voted to repeal city ordinances that make it illegal to possess small amounts of marijuana.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the bill also bars police from enforcing state and federal laws against possession of small amounts or of marijuana paraphernalia, with certain exceptions. Mayor Tishaura Jones in a statement said she will sign it as soon as it reaches her desk.

Jones said the bill removes an unjust and discriminatory policy. She said nearly 600 people have been arrested in St. Louis on marijuana charges in the past three years, and nearly 500 of them were Black.