An ambitious bill in St. Louis would essentially legalize weed within city limits by barring enforcement of state laws prohibiting marijuana possession — but at a legislative hearing last week, the bill's sponsor, 15th Ward Alderwoman Megan Green, found herself fielding pointed questions about her bill's unintended consequences.
Simply put, the bill in question, BB 180, would prohibit the city and its police department from committing resources to citing people for small-scale weed possession — stipulated as two ounces or ten plants.
The bill includes exceptions, ostensibly to permit officers to crack down on larger quantities or underage sales, among other things. During the hearing, however, several aldermen pointed to potential devils lurking in the details.…