STATESBORO —The Hinesville City Council adopted an ordinance regarding marijuana and the punishments for having it, reaching Georgia Southern territory on the Liberty campus.

This ordinance will encourage police in Hinesville to issue citations for possession of marijuana that weighs one ounce or less, instead of making arrests, according to Coastal Courier. 

The ordinance was passed unanimously by the council and went into effect on Feb. 20, according to the meeting minutes. 

This ordinance is similar to the ordinance passed in Statesboro in December 2018 where people who are caught with less than one ounce of marijuana must pay a maximum fine of $500 or perform community service to avoid jail time. 

Sarah Smith, The George-Anne Managing News Editor, gaeditor@georgiasouthern.edu