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Meeting scheduled to consider decriminalizing marijuana in St. Johns County

St. Johns County is looking at decriminalizing marijuana possession because local deputies need to focus on more serious crimes according to officials.

The proposal would only apply to small amount and would be up to the deputy’s discretion.

Sheriff David Shoar supports the idea of giving out civil citations instead of arresting adults with small amounts of the drug and wants to leave it up to the deputies’ discretion to give them the option to make a choice.

"I don’t think a little bit of marijuana is a big deal," said Resident Sam Fowler who says this is a step in the right direction.

Right now, St. Augustine city leaders are considering the proposal and will meet on July 24th to discuss the proposition of decriminalizing marijuana possession.

There are five other counties in Florida that have decriminalized marijuana possession and now St. Johns County is considering following in their footsteps.

There are also 8 cities in Florida that have passed ordinances decriminalizing personal use of small amounts of marijuana for adults.