West Hollywood may legalize some pot use

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 20 (UPI) -- California's West Hollywood, whose ordinances have included a ban on cat clawing and designating pet owners as "pet guardians," plans to legalize pot.

A new resolution approved by the city council would permit the recreational use of a small amount of marijuana in the town.

The City Council's resolution urged the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to make marijuana-related offenses a "low priority" that deputies should largely ignore, reports The Los Angeles Times.

The township with a population of 35,000 and no police force of its own wants the sheriff's department to only target the sale of marijuana.

The resolution was approved despite concerns from some residents and top aides of Sheriff Lee Baca, who had urged the council to delay the vote, the report said.

The councilman, who proposed the resolution, says sheriff's deputies have more important things to worry about than arresting people with small amounts of pot. But he also recognizes it may be difficult to get Baca to support the measure.

Noted West Hollywood attorney Bruce Margolin, who has defended numerous clients on marijuana charges, hopes the council's action is just the beginning, the Times reported.