Marijuana (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

NBC Chicago-  Mayor Rahm Emanuel is playing his pot card.

The Chicago mayor on Friday plans to back a proposed ordinance that reduces the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana within city limits. Emanuel said the change could free up cops for more serious crime and save the department about $1 million.

If the City Council agrees, cops can issue pot tickets instead of arrests for possession of 15 grams or less. Tickets would range from $100 to $500.

After the proposal was introduced last fall by Ald. Danny Solis, Emanuel said he did a little more research and concluded it’s not a bad idea.

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