Emanuel supports plan to make pot a ticketable offense

June 15, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he supports a plan allowing police to issue tickets to people caught with a small amount of marijuana.

In a statement released Friday, the mayor's office says Emanuel will join Alderman Danny Solis to introduce an amended ordinance that would apply to people caught with 15 grams of pot or less.

Governor Pat Quinn expressed his support for the plan.

"Focusing law enforcement on going after dangerous criminals is the way to go, and if this is a city ordinance, so I really have no role in judging that," Quinn said. "But if that's the way that the City Council and the mayor feel is the best way to deploy law enforcement, so be it."

The mayor has said passing that ordinance would allow the city to follow the law but would reduce the staff time used on arresting and processing misdemeanor offenders.

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