Could the small city of Port Richey become the next in the Tampa Bay area to decriminalize cannabis? Hometown entrepreneur Garyn Angel is leading the charge.

  • Hometown entrepreneur leading charge
  • People possessing small amounts of marijuana would receive civil citations

Angel spoke before the city council for the third time last week. He also provided council members with examples of ordinances from Tampa, Orlando and Miami.

“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel here,” Angel said. “All we have to do is take the other legislation that has passed in other areas and apply it to the city.”

Mayor Dale Massad said the concept of issuing civil citations to people possessing small amounts of marijuana, rather than criminal charges, is sitting fairly well with members.

“If I was guessing, from last meeting, I’d say you’re going to have a 4-1 vote in favor of it,” Massad said.

It’s a decision Angel said would put Port Richey on the map.

“I’m leading the charge,” Angel said. “I’m doing it everywhere else in the world, I’d love to do it in my small little city.”