Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk says his office will no longer prosecute people for possessing half an ounce or less of marijuana, following similar steps taken by prosecutors in several other jurisdictions around the country. 

In a written statement on the policy, the district attorney’s office says that minor marijuana charges “do little to promote public health, and even less to promote public safety.” 

More on the policy from that statement:

For individuals, this policy will eliminate the negative effects of a criminal charge which include potential jail time and collateral consequences on employment and housing.

For the justice system, elimination of minor marijuana charges will decrease costs as jail housing expenses for these cases will now be totally eliminated. Similarly, courts and the clerk’s office will see savings from docketing fewer cases.

Finally, and of great importance, demographic statistics indicate that these charges impact minorities in a disproportionate manner. This policy will eliminate this area of disproportionality in the justice system.

Proper allocation of the resources of the District Attorney’s office requires common sense and fairness. These resources must be devoted to supporting victims and prosecuting violent crime.

In 2016, the Metro Council approved an ordinance creating a civil penalty for possessing or exchanging a half-ounce of marijuana, giving police officers an option other than criminal charges in such…