Philadelphia City Council held a hearing on March 11 concerning a proposed ordinance that would seriously limit arrests on minor marijuana possession charges. Â KRMF partner Paul Messing testified before Council concerning the results of data analysis conducted as part of the stop-and-frisk litigation brought by KRMF and the ACLU of Pennsylvania. Â Noting that Philadelphia police have made marijuana arrests in a sharply discriminatory manner–more than 90% involving Black or Latino persons–Mr. Messing urged Council to pass the legislation so as to reduce these pointless arrests.
As noted in print and television media, the ordinance will be voted on later this month.
[button link=”https://www.krlawphila.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/P.-Messing-Statement-to-City-Council-Bill-No.-140001-copy.pdf”]Read Mr. Messing’s Written Testimony[/button]