Stroger Claims He'll Let New Marijuana Law Stand

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 23, 2009 9:30PM

In a surprise move, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has reversed course and now says he won't veto the new measure the Cook County Board passed yesterday, decriminalizing marijuana in unincorporated parts of Cook County. According to Chicago Breaking News:

Today, a spokesman said Stroger plans to let the pot ticket ordinance stand because it would give the sheriff's department more discretion and save the county money by not having to house as many misdemeanor offenders.

Sheriff Tom Dart has expressed concern about having two sets of rules in the county since the law applies only to the unincorporated parts. Under the new ordinance, sheriffs would have the option of arresting someone for possession of marijuana less than 10 grams or instead simply writing them a $200 ticket.