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CANFIELD -- Marijuana within a certain amount will now be a lesser offense in Canfield.
In an unanimous vote, Canfield council members adopted an amendment to existing legislation in the city Wednesday, taking possession of marijuana from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a minor misdemeanor.
City law director Mark Fortunato explained the measure updates existing city laws to align with the state of Ohio.
"This is state law and we're just ratifying" the ordinance, Fortunato said.
There was no further questions or comments regarding the ordinance.
Late last summer, Fortunato addressed council members about lessening the marijuana possession citation.
He told council members that marijuana laws are relaxing, and changing to a minor misdemeanor would align Canfield with the state and other communities.
State law defines a minor misdemeanor amount of marijuana as less than 100 grams.
It's when the amount is between 100 and 200 grams that it is an M-4, Sgt. Josh Wells previously explained.
Fortunato also previously explained to council that when specimens are sent to laboratories for drug confirmation, it can become a costly process.
According to Ohio Revised Code, a fourth-degree misdemeanor is publishable by a maximum jail sentence of 30 days and a fine up to $250. A minor misdemeanor penalty is a maximum fine of $150.
A minor misdemeanor does not need to be reported on a job application, although a fourth-degree misdemeanor does.
Also discussed at the council meeting was the unanimous adoption of the beginning stages of a waterline replacement.
The ordinance allows the city to enter into a contract with Howells and Baird, Inc., for engineering services related to the Neff Drive waterline replacement, not to exceed $46,750.