BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Alabama’s most populous county is delaying plans to decriminalize enforcement of misdemeanor marijuana cases and other minor offenses.
News outlets report Thursday the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Birmingham is postponing its plan to end arrests and issue tickets for such cases just days after they announced the new initiative.
Authorities haven’t explained the delay.
Officials announced Monday that officers would begin issuing tickets for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses rather than taking people to jail.
A spokesman for Sheriff Mark Pettway said the change would save jail space and supplies. He also said it would allow officers to concentrate on more serious offenses and prevent young people from spending time in jail for small amounts of marijuana.
Pettway was elected on a platform that included decriminalizing minor drug offenses.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.