Marijuana law on hold in PittsburghPITTSBURGH — Legislation passed by the Pittsburgh City Council decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana or hashish is on hold as lawyers work out legal issues within the ordinance.The attorneys are seeking a way to impose a civil penalty under the legislation, even though state law calls for a misdemeanor charge.Under the ordinance that was signed in December, police could fine people $25 to $100 and seize the drugs as long as the person has less than 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hash.But Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Jeffrey Manning says the city can’t file the citation with the court because it’s bound by state law.The police union says officers have been instructed to continue filing misdemeanor charges.

Philly mayor wants to tax sugary drinksPHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia’s mayor is seeking a tax on sugary drinks to help fund his universal pre-K plan, among other initiatives.Mayor Jim Kenney said he believes the 3-cents-per-ounce tax could bring in $400 million over five years.He says the money could fund a green jobs plan and repay a bond for rebuilding parks and recreations centers, among other initiatives.Former Mayor Michael Nutter had proposed a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sweet drinks twice during his administration. Kenney, a city councilman at the time, opposed the idea, and the tax never made it to a council vote.