PHILADELPHIA DECRIMINALIZES MARIJUANA

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ The City of Brotherly Love is showing a little love for pot offenders. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is giving the nod to a measure to decriminalize pot. Nutter’s spokesman says the mayor will sign a bill that calls for a $25 fine for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. Final city council action on the proposal is expected Thursday, including an amendment to stiffen penalties for smoking pot in public. The mayor’s office says Philly’s new pot law would go into effect October 20.