Florida lawmakers: decriminalize illegal drugs, lower cannabis penalties

By Nina Zdinjak

Florida representative Dotie Joseph (D) recently tabled the Collateral Consequences of Convictions and Decriminalization of Cannabis and All Drugs Act to decriminalize all currently illegal drugs, Marijuana Moment reported.

Under the bill, anyone with a criminal record for a previous cannabis offense would be entitled to automatic deletion within one year, as arresting and possessing cannabis up to one ounce would be considered a non-criminal offense, punishable by a US $ 50 fine. Dollars would be penalized. instead of an administrative offense. Shipments of marijuana up to an ounce are treated the same way.

Photo by Rattankun Thongbun / Getty Images

The proposal “intends to prioritize rehabilitative health interventions rather than criminalizing personal use of controlled substances, including but not limited to stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, heroin, fentanyl, sedatives or benzodiazepines and other addictive controlled substances.”

In addition, the bill states that crimes related to personal use and possession of controlled substances that do not involve manufacture, distribution or sale will be decriminalized in favor of fines and referral for drug rehabilitation.

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The aim of the bill is to promote the health and public safety of the residents of Florida and to use the proceeds to support education, improve the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, among other things.

Legislation also requires the Florida Department of Health to research “more effective ways to combat drug addiction than criminalization.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.