Legislation is filed that would decriminalize marijuana possession. The legislation would go into effect pending the passage of a broader legalization, regulation, and taxation of recreational marijuana use and sale in the state.
New Orleans Representative Candace Newell wrote the bill and said Louisiana spends too much money imprisoning people for possessing marijuana.
“Philadelphia County, in 2014 their city council voted to decriminalize up to 30 grams of possession and noticed that the arrest rate dropped 50 percent,” said Newell.
The proposed legislation does not apply to the crime of driving while under the influence, and would still allow employers to maintain zero-tolerance drug use policies.
Newell said passing this legislation would be an important step forward for the African American community.
“African Americans and brown people are disproportionately targeted for possession and they end up doing more time than their white counterparts,” said Newell.
A recent JMC poll shows 68 percent of Louisianans support decriminalization, but it’s traditionally been a non-starter at the Legislature. Newell said part of that is due to pressure from local governments.
“The localities make too much money. They make money off of the arrest and the repossession of cars and property,” said Newell who added that she was discouraged from filing this legislation by groups that touted the revenue benefits of maintaining current drug policies.
The legislation was filed for the upcoming session that begins April 12th.
Comments