Legislation has been pre-filed to decriminalize the possession of certain controlled substances, including marijuana.
H. 3276 would impose a civil penalty for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, resulting in a fine only, between $100-$200 for the first offense, and between $200-$1,000 for the second offense.
A separate measure, H. 3444, would remove all criminal and civil penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for veterans that have been diagnosed with PTSD.
Currently under state law, the possession of one ounce of marijuana is considered a criminal misdemeanor offense, where the first offense is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $200, and subsequent offenses are punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000.