Denver mulls penalties for underage pot users

Denver is considering lower penalties for people who use marijuana underage.

The Denver City Council gave initial approval Monday night to a measure that would decriminalize the possession of an ounce of marijuana or less for people between the ages of 18 and 21. Penalties would include only fines and no jail time.

The penalties would apply to those young adults without medical permission to use the drug.

The Denver Post reports that the measure would impose fines that range from $150 for the first offense up to $999. The fines would be similar to what people over the age of 21 face when caught smoking or displaying marijuana in public.

A final vote is scheduled next week.