Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to issue pot tickets instead of making arrests for possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less has made progress -- and money.
In the first four months, Chicago Police issued almost 400 tickets and made $98,000 in fines, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Under the new policy, officers have the option of issuing a ticket to someone, rather than placing them under arrest. Anyone caught with pot under the age of 17 or without proper identification is still be arrested, as are those caught smoking pot in public or possessing marijuana in or near a school or park.
Tickets range from $250 to $500 for the first offense, and the Tribune reports that most of the tickets issued so far were for $250. In 128 cases, offenders didn't show up to court, though, and were issued a $500 fine.
The Chicago City Council approved the pot-ticket plan in June despite concerns from at least one alderman about the plan being a revenue-generator for the city.
Emanuel has said a portion of the money has been earmarked for an anti-drug campaign aimed at kids.
