Assemblywoman Christina Giunchigliani (D-Clark) introduced legislation last week to make minor marijuana possession a misdemeanor offense punishable by no more than a $100 fine. State law currently defines marijuana possession as a category E felony punishable by up to four years in jail.
NORML Executive Director R. Keith Stroup, Esq. endorsed Giunchigliani’s proposal. “Marijuana smokers, like their nonsmoking peers, work hard, raise families, pay taxes, and contribute to their communities. They are not part of the crime problem and should not face arrest and jail,” he said. “This legislation is long overdue in Nevada.”
Nevada is one of the only states that maintains felony criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession, he said.
Assembly Bill 577 awaits action by the Judiciary Committee. The committee must vote on the bill before April 9, 1999.
In ten states, simple possession of marijuana is a noncriminal offense. Last year, voters in Oregon rejected 2 to 1 a legislative measure to recriminalize marijuana possession.
For more information, please contact either Keith Stroup or Paul Armentano of NORML @ (202) 483-5500. To download a copy of this legislation, please visit: www.leg.state.nv.us/70th/bills/AB/AB577.html.