Title:
La.: Bill to reduce marijuana possession penalties introduced
Message:
Louisiana has some of the harshest marijuana laws in the country. First-offense possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to six months in jail. A second-offense charge for marijuana possession includes a mandatory minimum fine of at least $250 and 48 hours in jail, with a maximum of five years imprisonment.
Fortunately, Rep. Austin Badon (D-New Orleans) is seeking to change this. Rep. Badon has introduced HB 103, a bill that would reduce marijuana possession penalties for second and subsequent offenses. It has been referred to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
Please ask your legislators to support HB 103.
The proposal would change the maximum sentence for a second possession offense to one year rather than five; a third offense would carry a two-year maximum sentence instead of 20; and the maximum sentence for a fourth offense would be set at five years rather than life. In addition to lowering penalties and possible incarceration time for marijuana possession offenses, the proposal would also remove marijuana possession from the list of offenses that receive mandatory minimum sentences.
Please ask your legislators to support this sensible proposal. Then, ask your friends to do the same.
