Easton City Council passes marijuana decriminalization ordinance in 4-3 vote

The Easton City Council passed a widely debated ordinance on Wednesday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, marking a shift in local policy.

The measure passed in a 4-3 vote during the council’s June 11 meeting. Councilwoman Taiba Sultana cast the decisive vote in favor after abstaining from a similar vote in March, which resulted in a tie.

The ordinance reclassifies possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of hashish as a summary offense — similar to a traffic violation — rather than a misdemeanor.

First-time offenders will face a $25 fine, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Public use will carry a higher fine starting at $150.

Councilman Frank Pintabone, who introduced the ordinance, said the new law will help protect residents, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and communities of color, from long-term consequences tied to minor marijuana offenses.

“[Police officers] do two hours of paperwork and spend their day off in court just to give somebody a sentence that’s going to carry through the rest of their life because they’re smoking a joint,” Pintabone said. “This is a good bill. It’s equitable for everyone.”

Sultana, who previously abstained due to an unresolved concern, said she had reviewed the issue and felt confident in supporting the ordinance.

The vote makes Easton the 18th municipality in Pennsylvania to adopt some form of marijuana decriminalization, joining cities such as Allentown, Bethlehem, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Mayor Sal Panto Jr., who opposed the ordinance, reiterated his concerns about creating legal inconsistencies between city and state law.

In Pennsylvania, marijuana remains illegal for recreational use under state law. Possession of any amount is a misdemeanor that can carry jail time, fines, and a criminal record. Medical marijuana is legal for registered patients with qualifying conditions.

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo also spoke against the ordinance.

“It’s illegal in the state of Pennsylvania because someone has to sell it to them,” Scalzo said. “And that comes with a lot of the violent aspects of drugs. I know it’s marijuana, but that is a big drug-dealing moneymaker when it comes to the [gang] territories and things like that. I’ve seen where solely a drug deal of marijuana turns deadly.”

Residents supported and opposed the bill during the meeting, with one person yelling at Scalzo out of turn. Pintabone responded by downplaying the threat of organized violence related to personal-use quantities.

“I think we’re fearmongering a little bit,” he said. “There aren’t gang wars over 30 grams of marijuana.”

According to a recent study by the Lehigh Valley Justice Initiative, marijuana possession accounts for one in six criminal cases in Lehigh Valley courts. The study also found that Black residents are more than six times as likely to be charged with a marijuana offense compared to white residents.

Councilwoman Crystal Rose also voiced her support for the measure and potential legalization efforts at the state level.

“I can’t have it on my conscience that someone has a record that prevents them from living a full life for something that I can’t believe we’re still talking about,” Rose said. “We also have to prepare for legalization in the state. It’s coming whether we like it or not, so let’s get ahead of it and do the right thing.”

According to city officials, the ordinance will take effect 10 days after final passage. Enforcement will remain under the jurisdiction of the Easton Police Department.