The Tennessee Attorney General released an opinion statement saying Metro Nashville's marijuana decriminalization ordinance has got to go.
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III released the statement Wednesday afternoon, in which he called the ordinance "un-enforceable."
He said the city cannot give police the power to issue a civil penalty for marijuana possession. The ordinance was passed by the Nashville Metropolitan Council in September and last month by the Memphis City Council.
Slatery said both conflict with state law, specifically the Tennessee Drug Control Act.
The ordinances give police officers who come across people in possession of a half-ounce or less of marijuana the option of issuing a civil citation for a $50 fine or community service, rather than arresting the individual.
The individual would still have to appear before a judge, who would approve the fine or community service.
Click here, to read the full statement.
