NEW ORLEANS - The approval process to end the criminalization of simple possession of marijuana will begin in the Council’s Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday, June 29 at 2 p.m.

Council President Helena Moreno introduced ordinances to fully decriminalize municipal simple possession of marijuana last month after a recent analysis showed an alarming number of summons written for the charge; 2400 in 2019 with 86% issued to Black people. The NOPD manpower hours associated with these summonses are also problematic. Police are currently required to write reports, have a supervisor review the report and log evidence associated with the summons, which averages about an hour per summons issued. Council President Moreno believes that police manpower can be better utilized focusing on more serious matters than writing pot tickets. 

NEW ORLEANS - Alongside advocates, community stakeholders, and administration officials, Council President Moreno is proud to announce the filing of a formal Council Advisory Task Force focused on creating a model for crisis response in New Orleans.

The 13-member Task Force will be made up of community appointees with relevant expertise and experiences, as well as public safety officials. Members will be selected by August 1, 2021, and Council Advisory Task Force meetings will be open to the public.

NEW ORLEANS - Today, the City Council began the process of establishing a non-police Crisis Response and Intervention Team to respond to and help people in mental health crises. Currently, it’s NOPD that handles thousands of mental health calls annually while other cities are now transitioning to more effectively utilizing mental health professionals to respond to these cases instead of police. 

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Council President Helena Moreno introduced ordinances to fully decriminalize municipal simple possession of marijuana. She is also releasing the full report on marijuana summons and equity by City Council analyst Jeff Asher that led to her proposal.

The report shows various samples of data, including that 2400 municipal summons were issued in 2019 with 86% issued to Black people. The manpower hours for writing police reports, supervisor review, and logging of evidence associated with the summons averages about an hour per summons issued. Council President Moreno believes that police manpower can be better utilized focusing on more serious matters than writing pot tickets. 

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Council President and Utilities Chair Helena Moreno announced the final committee vote on the Council's Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS), which would end emissions from Entergy New Orleans power generation by 2050, reaching net-zero emissions in 2040. Entergy New Orleans would be required to serve New Orleans customers with 100% clean power thereafter.

"This new policy will begin a rapid transition towards clean and renewable energy and away from fossil fuels. We simply can't wait - we must take strong climate action today. I believe that this climate action plan is bold, obtainable, and most importantly swift," said Council President Moreno. "With these rules, New Orleans will be the first territory in the gulf south and among the national leaders in confronting the generational challenge of climate change and helping secure a 100% clean and more resilient power future for us all.”