United States Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) unveiled draft legislation repealing the federal prohibition of marijuana at a press conference on Wednesday.
Category: Decriminalization
“The passage of this legislation is great progress toward ending the racially discriminatory policy of branding otherwise law-abiding Louisianans as criminals for minor marijuana possession offenses when law enforcement should instead be focusing on fighting legitimate crime.”
“Decriminalization is only a partial step. It reduces the total number of marijuana arrests, but continues to leave far too many people — and young adults in particular — subject to the whims of law enforcement.”
While there would be no possibility of jail time under the bill, these offenses would still be classified as misdemeanors.
House Bill 652 reduces the penalty for the possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana to a $100 fine only.
While there would be no possibility of jail time under the bill, these offenses would still be classified as a misdemeanor.
“it is time for North Carolina to start having real conversations about a safe, measured, public health approach to potentially legalizing marijuana.”
The bills’ language states, “no law-enforcement officer may lawfully search or seize any person, place, or thing solely on the basis of the odor of marijuana.”