TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Five counties and eight cities in Florida have passed ordinances decriminalizing personal use amounts of marijuana.
A bill scheduled to be heard in a state Senate committee would decriminalize pot in the rest of the state.
With medical marijuana’s sweeping victory in November, it’s clear public opinion on the drug has shifted. The question now is just how far are legislators willing to go?
Ordinances passed in some of Florida’s biggest cities, like Tampa, Orlando and Miami-Dade County, make activists think decriminalization may be on the horizon.
“Right now, we have millions of people who are living under one law and millions more who are living under a different law,” said Jodi James, with Florida Cannabis Action Network.
Those activists say current penalties for marijuana offenses are too high.
“You don’t have to throw people in jail, ruin their lives over something that’s maybe an adolescent or a juvenile or a young adult mistake,” said Jeff Sharkey, with the Medical Marijuana Business Association.
A Senate bill scheduled for a hearing would make possession of under an ounce of marijuana a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a $100 fine.
“It’s going to make sure that we’re saving taxpayers’ money in the long run, because really, no one wants to send someone to jail for a small amount of marijuana,” James said.
The bill treats minors differently, with a punishment of 15 hours of community service and the completion of a drug awareness program instead of the fine. Their parents would also be notified.
“We want to send kids the message that it’s not OK, but that if they do do something to break the law that we still want them to be able to prosper,” James said.
Advocates said they’re excited that the idea is even getting a hearing.
“There have been many, many bills proposed, but it’s never had a hearing, so this is a major step forward to end prohibition,” said Melissa Villar, with NORML Tallahassee.
Lawmakers did discuss the bill, but no vote was taken, making decriminalization likely dead this year, but advocates believe the hearing was a step into the future.
Marijuana Advocates will stay around the Capitol until at least Thursday as part of their annual NORML Lobby days.
They’ll be advocating for the House’s Medical Marijuana bill Tuesday as it comes up for a committee hearing.
credit:news4jax.com
