Reading’s Managing Director Emphasizes Accountability and Education in Marijuana Policy Change
In a recent move, Reading City Council voted 5-2 to decriminalize possessing small amounts of marijuana, but City Managing Director Jack Gombach is clear that this is not the same as legalization. According to Gombach, the goal of this policy change is to hold individuals accountable while also providing education and support.
Under the new policy, individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana will face a fine rather than criminal charges, which Gombach believes will help to avoid the negative consequences that can come with a criminal record. “We don’t want to jam people up, we don’t want a criminal record,” he said. “And that’s the fundamental difference in the city’s approach is we’re doing it before the arrest.”
Gombach emphasized that the city’s approach is focused on education and helping individuals, rather than simply punishing them. “We don’t want to treat everybody the same because every situation is different,” he said. “Good policy-making, good government is about flexibility to address situations as they come.”
While some critics have expressed concerns that the city’s policy change could undermine the effectiveness of the county’s marijuana diversion program, Gombach believes that the two initiatives can coexist. “The way that the City of Reading is going to address it is by de-criminalizing it, giving officers more tools, more resources, but still mandating, still requiring the diversion program so that we’re educating our youth and some of our offenders,” he said.
The new policy will also include fines for subsequent offenses, with a maximum fine of $150 for a third or subsequent offense. Additionally, individuals will face a fine of $150 for smoking marijuana in a public place.
Overall, Gombach believes that the city’s approach to marijuana policy is focused on finding a balance between accountability and education. “This is not a get out of jail free card,” he said. “It’s about holding people accountable, but also giving them the opportunity to learn and grow.”
