House Committee Passes Bill To Regulate Penalties Concerning Marijuana Possession

A House committee passed a bill Tuesday that would make the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana uniform across state.

Tuesday, February 26th 2019, 5:42 pm

By: Aaron Brilbeck

House Committee Passes Bill To Regulate Penalties Concerning Marijuana Possession

A House committee passed a bill Tuesday that would make the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana uniform across state.

“This bill would move all marijuana charges under 1.5 ounces to a $400 fine,” said Rep. Jon Echols, R-Majority Floor Leader.

House Bill 2614 would make the law more uniform, so the punishment for possessing a small amount of marijuana would be the same throughout the state.

“We have to have a dictate all across the state because law enforcement in different counties and different cities, they don’t know which way to go,” said Norma Sapp, a medical marijuana advocate.

“You know when you have a bill like this than really decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana with the will of the voters, and it’s supported by law enforcement. I think this is going to be a great bill. We’re doing big stuff at the Capitol and I think this will sail through,” Echols said.

Partial proceeds from House Bill 2416 would go toward putting deputies into the retirement system. It now goes to the state House floor.

Aaron Brilbeck

Aaron Brilbeck got his start in news working as a reporter for a radio station in upstate New York when he was just 16-year old. Since then he has covered several major stories including the fiery rio

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