Senator Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, is hoping to decriminalize simple weed possession at this year’s General Assembly, and he’s got a bill to back it up.
Senator Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, is hoping to decriminalize simple weed possession at this year’s General Assembly, and he’s got a bill to back it up.
SB 686, decriminalization of simple marijuana possession, hopes to reduce the fine for possession of from $500 to $100, and would eliminate the 30-day jail sentence currently associated with the charge.
The bill would also affect distribution charges, suggesting someone with 6 or less plants was not intending to distribute, but keeping them for personal use. Finally, the bill would limit forfeiture of property from sale or distribution of marijuana to quantities of more than one pound, which currently has no limit.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Senator Ebbin was unavailable for comment by press time.
Earlier this week, DC residents voted to legalize recreational marijuana, but the move still needs Congressional approval. There is also no plan in place for legal sale – if Congress approves the popularly approved measure, some advocates believe weed could be for sale in the nation’s capital as early as 2016.
The 2015 General Assembly session starts 1/8/15.
