Tagged With: Possession
New Orleans: Marijuana Possession Arrests Plunge Following Enactment Of Decriminalization Ordinance
Minor marijuana possession arrests have plunged in the city of New Orleans following the adoption of a municipal ordinance one year ago that called for fining rather than arresting low-level offenders. According to data made available last week, just one percent of encounters between police and someone accused of possessing marijuana resulted in an arrest … Continue reading
Racial Disparities Persist Among NYC Marijuana Possession Arrestees
New York City police are continuing to disproportionately arrest African Americans and Latinos for minor marijuana possession violations, despite ongoing pledges from Mayor Bill de Blasio to halt the practice. In 2017, city police made an estimated 17,500 arrests for marijuana possession in the 5th degree — a class B misdemeanor. Consistent with past years, … Continue reading
Philadelphia: District Attorney To Cease Prosecuting Marijuana Possession Offenders
Philadelphia officials announced today that they will no longer prosecute marijuana possession offenses. In October 2014, Philadelphia enacted a municipal ordinance reclassifying cases involving the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis to a non-summary civil offense, punishable by a $ 25 fine – no arrest and no criminal record. Since that time, annual … Continue reading
Vermont Becomes the Ninth State to Legalize Adult Marijuana Possession and Personal Cultivation
Republican Gov. Phil Scott has signed legislation (H. 511) into law legalizing the use and cultivation of marijuana by adults. Vermont is the ninth state to statutorily permit adults to possess marijuana for personal use, and it is the first state to enact these reforms via legislative action rather than by the passage of a … Continue reading
Vermont Senate Approves Legalization of Marijuana Possession and Cultivation, Awaits Governor’s Signature
Today, the Vermont state Senate approved a measure that would legalize the possession and limited home cultivation of marijuana. Under this legislation, H. 511, individuals 21 years of age or older would be able to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate a limited amount for personal use. “While prohibitionists like Attorney General … Continue reading
New Hampshire House Votes to Legalize Marijuana Possession and Cultivation
This morning, in a direct rebuke to the bluster coming from US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 207 to 139 in favor of a measure that would legalize the possession of up to 3/4 of an ounce of marijuana and the cultivation of 3 mature plants for adults 21 … Continue reading
ACLU Pennsylvania: Blacks Eight Times More Likely Than Whites To Be Arrested For Marijuana Possession
African Americans in Pennsylvania are over eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession offenses than are Caucasians, according to an analysis of statewide arrest data by the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU Pennsylvania report reviewed arrest data for all 67 counties from 2010 to 2016. Excluding Philadelphia, which decriminalized cannabis possession … Continue reading
Wisconsin: Bill Filed To Regulate Marijuana Possession, Use, Sales
Legislation is pending for the 2017-2018 legislative session to regulate the use, growing, and distribution of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison), permits adults to possess and grow personal use quantities of cannabis, and to possess marijuana-related paraphernalia. It also establishes regulations for the commercial production … Continue reading
Wisconsin: Measure Pending to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties
Legislation is pending to reduce minor marijuana possession penalties. Under current law, possession of any amount is a misdemeanor that carries up to 6 months in jail and a $ 1,000 fine if convicted by a plea or trial. Senate Bill 318 amends state law so that marijuana possession offenses (up to 10 grams) are … Continue reading
Pennsylvania: Measure Pending to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties
Update: Members of the House Transportation Committee are scheduled to vote on HB 928 on April 25. Legislation is pending to reduce minor marijuana possession penalties. Under current law, possession of up to 30 grams is third-degree misdemeanor that carries up to 30 days in jail, a $ 500 fine and a driver’s license suspension … Continue reading
