Covington Police Chief Brent Fuesting shared the department’s current procedure on minor marijuana possession during Monday's discussion. Photo via City of Covington, Vimeo. COVINGTON, Ga. – The Covington City Council voted against adopting an ordinance decriminalizing possession of one ounce or less of marijuana at their March 2 meeting. With the council voting 2-4, the motion to adopt the change failed to pass, and no new action has been put into place. Council Member Anthony Henderson initiated the conversation. He proposed eliminating jail time for those charged with possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. Rather, punishment would be doled out solely via fines that increase with subsequent offenses, and possible community service. This proposed ordinance would also clarify that the violation is civil, not criminal. The defendant would also be reserved transfer rights if the case is appropriate to move to state courts. Henderson stated that he had originally encouraged action on this issue in 2018, but state law changed with the introduction of hemp in 2019. He noted that this action would align Covington with other communities in the state like Clayton County, Fulton
