Louisiana Passes Bill to Lessen Marijuana Penalties

[RainDog]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/05/marijuana_possession_new_orlea.html

I sent out some love to Louisiana here the other day... http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022893488

The Louisiana House narrowly passed a bill Wednesday to dramatically lessen penalties for marijuana possession. With little more than a week left in the 2013 session, the legislation now moves to the Senate side for further debate.

House Bill 103, sponsored by state Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, would lessen the jail time and fines imposed on someone convicted of simple marijuana possession. Speaking on the House floor Wednesday, Badon said the bill would save the state money in incarceration costs as well as keep people united with their families and in their jobs.

Under current law, a first-time offender could be jailed up to six months. A repeat offender could be sentenced up to five years, with those convicted three times open to a 20 year jail sentence.

Badon's bill would lessen this jail time to not more than two years for repeat offenders, five years for third-time offenders and eight years for those convicted four or more times. The maximum fine for possession would also be lessened from $5,000 to $2,500.

The earlier bill failed - the penalties were less than in the current bill that passed in the House. But I'm so happy to see places that make bad laws a little better, at least.

Still have a ways to go, but every bit of progress matters.

[Laelth]

1. Nice change. k&r n/t

-Laelth