Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
Senate Judiciary C advances house-backed legislation that would decriminalize possession of u to 14 grams of marijuana.
Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover said under his bill those found with just under half an ounce would only face a 100 dollar fine.
“The simple possession of small amounts of marijuana should not lead you to jail and it should not lead you to becoming a felon,” said Glover.
While an effort to fully legalize recreational marijuana failed in the House 47-49 Glover’s bill to decriminalize passed easily 68-25.
Louisiana Progress Action Policy Director Peter Robins-Brown spoke in support of the bill. He says polls show nearly 70 percent of Louisianans support decriminalization.
“Marijuana is safer than alcohol and yet we criminalize it like it is much worse,” said Robins-Brown. “The current system of criminalization undermines the overall criminal justice system because it is such an unpopular law.”
The Louisiana Baptist Convention opposes the bill. Office of Public Policy Director Dr. Will Hall took issue with Robins-Brown’s comment that marijuana is safer than alcohol and said smoking pot leads to an increase in psychosis, schizophrenia, and paranoia. He also said 14 grams of pot can be a dangerous amount.
“Pot in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s was one to three percent THC, that’s the photoactive component. Today the average is about 20 percent THC,” said Hall.
The bill heads to the Senate floor for final passage.
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