St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed a cannabis decriminalization bill into law Dec. 13 that repeals city ordinances that previously made it illegal to possess 35 grams or less of cannabis, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The new law stipulates that the odor or presence of cannabis can no longer be sole probable cause for search and arrest, the news outlet reported. The measure also prohibits police from enforcing state and federal laws prohibiting the possession of small amounts of cannabis, with certain exceptions.
In a news conference before the bill signing, Jones said enforcing strict cannabis laws takes police resources away from violent crime, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and that the new policy will reduce racial disparities in policing.