Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
A Senate proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana was temporarily postponed, effectively putting an end to any hopes that legislators would act on the legislation this year.
Sen. Jeff Clemens, the Lake Worth Democrat sponsoring the bill (SB 1662), asked that the Senate Criminal Justice Committee temporarily postponed the measure after a 15-minute discussion Monday.
While Clemens said he was thankful that Sen. Randolph Bracy, the committee’s chairman, decided to hear the bill, he said he knew that there was “virtually zero chance” of it passing the Legislature this year.
A similar proposal (HB 1403) by Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith has not received a hearing in the House. If Clemens’ bill had passed the committee, it still would have needed to clear two more committees — the Judiciary and Rules committees — before it made it to the Senate floor for a vote.
“I’m encouraged we’re able to have this discussion,” said Clemens. “We are in Week 7 right now, and this is the first committee this bill was to be heard in. It has not gotten a hearing in the House, meaning that there is virtually zero chance of this bill passing this year.”
The bill would have made possession of one ounce or less of cannabis — described as a “personal use quantity — would be a civil violation, rather than a misdemeanor.
Under the proposal, a person over the age of 18 who knowingly possesses an ounce of marijuana or less would be assessed a civil violation of no more than $100. Juveniles would be ordered to complete up to 15 hours of community service.
Sens. Dennis Baxley and Rob Bradley both expressed concerned about the proposal.
“When I see a bill like this, I understand where Sen. Clemens is coming from, but I’m not prepared to go as far as this bill goes,” said Bradley. “I appreciate the discussion.”
3 comments
Robert Knuckles
April 17, 2017 at 5:09 pm
We need to take a stand against these politician and start voting them out if they are not for us then they are against us let’s take a stand together and let’s get them out of office there using tax dollars fighting against possession and destroying someone’s life over simple possession charges locking them up for a year a having a drug charge for the rest of there life this is a joke they need to use tax payers money more wisely let’s take a stand and start voting these politicians out they are more of us than them take a stand 71% voters
Robert Knuckles
April 17, 2017 at 5:38 pm
Let’s not pass a bill to decriminalize small amounts of personal use of marijuana and destroying someone’s life and keep giving out pain pills and destroy the life’s of thousands every day gotta keep the poor people down don’t let them get ahead in life. NOT let’s stand together and fight the political amendment if they are not for us ,there against us 71% voted for medical cannabis. That should say something for the voters we are no longer against cannabis no more they need to catch up with the times and use tax payers money more wisely instead of use in millions to fight against marijuana use my tax dollars for more serious crimes let’s stand together and vote these politician out that’s not for the voters STAND UNITED they need us to vote them in office.
David Jonez
April 18, 2017 at 10:18 pm
1. Addictive properties? NOPE
2. Medicinal properties? YUP
3. High potential for abuse? NOPE
I will offer 1 million dollars to anyone who can scientifically justify the scheduling of cannabis. Just say now
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