Philadelphia has become the largest American city to have decriminalised marijuana. Michael Nutter, the city's mayor, will sign a bill this week that reduces the penalty for having an ounce in your possession to a fine of $25, with no mark left on your criminal record.

The bill was first introduced by Councilman Jim Kenney in May and he explained to Policy Mic that numerous convictions for marijuana were making it difficult for people to gain employment, something he saw as unfair and untenable.

"I'm very pleased that we've gotten to a point where activity like possession of a small amount of marijuana will not result in booking or an arrest record going forward," he said. "Keeping it out of the criminal courts and keeping it a civil offense is groundbreaking in Philadelphia. An arrest record for possession under an ounce results in a criminal record, which makes getting a job virtually impossible and basically makes receiving college aid or serving in the military out of the question. It keeps people from progressing and becoming good taxpaying citizens and it puts them on the path to towards poverty. With a 26% poverty rate, this is unconscionable."

Bascially, the city has put an end to good people being unable to gain employment over a couple of joints.

Is it time to do the same in the UK? The Liberal Democrats certainly think so. In the party's pre-launch manifesto, Nick Clegg outlined a desire to decriminalise all drugs if they're in possession for personal use and put a stop to imprisonment for offenders. Clegg wants to copy the models adopted by US states, where results have been largely positive. For instance, Colorado's crime rates have fallen over 10% since marijuana was legalised in the state.

It sounds like a great idea to implement some of those strategies over here, it's just a shame that it's the Lib Dems who have had it.