The New Orleans City Council approved an ordinance that removes all municipal-level punishments for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Council President Helena Moreno led the effort to also pardon some 10,000 previous cases for pot possession.
"We do have the opportunity and the ability to take it as far as possible with decriminalization to eliminate penalties for simple possession," Moreno said. "This will also pardon thousands of summons issued by NOPD and create an innovative 'automatic pardon' for future summons, ultimately removing penalties for small possession of cannabis in New Orleans."
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The council approved the measure 7-0.
While a person caught with 14 grams or less of marijuana (less than half an ounce) won't face penalties, Moreno warned that penalties could still be applied if people are lighting up in areas where smoking is not allowed.
The Louisiana State Legislature earlier this year reduced penalties state-wide to $100 for possession of small amounts of marijuana.