The Latest: City Council votes to decriminalize pot

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque City Council has voted to decriminalize marijuana possession in small amounts and send the measure to the mayor for final approval. The City Council's vote Monday night came after lengthy testimony, mostly from citizens urging council members to approve the change to the local criminal code. The proposal put forward by city council members Pat Davis and Isaac Benton would make it a citable offense — not a criminal one — to possess an ounce (28 grams) of pot and paraphernalia without a valid medical marijuana referral. Authorities could issue a $25 ticket but no jail time. Under Albuquerque's current criminal code, police can issue $50 fines to first-time offenders possessing an ounce or less of marijuana. Authorities also can jail first-time offenders for a maximum of 15 days, though such instances appear to be rare.