A man prepares a marijuana joint in Tompkins Square Park in New York, Dec. 12, 2015. (Hilary Swift/The New York Times)

Minneapolis voted Friday to sync its marijuana possession law to match existing state rules, reducing the crime from a misdemeanor to petty misdemeanor.

The change is expected to have "minimal or no impact" because Minneapolis police rely on the state statute when charging small-scale marijuana offenses, according to a staff report.

"I believe that crimes and serious charges should be reserved for matters that are seriously injurious to society," said Council Member Jacob Frey, a sponsor of the measure. "And possessing a joint just quite simply does not rise to that level."

A petty misdemeanor are technically not a "crime" under state law, since they are not punishable by jail time.

The change passed the City Council unanimously on Friday.