Marijuana possession is no longer a criminal offense in Louisiana

By Jelena Martinovic

Just over a month after Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards signed a law decriminalizing small amounts of possession of cannabis for personal use, the measure went into effect.

As of Sunday, August 1, Louisians caught in possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis could face a fine of up to $ 100, but no jail sentence, Marijuana Moment reported.

Photo by Peter Unger / Getty Images

Under House Bill 652, possession of small quantities of cannabis is now classified as an offense rather than a crime.

And while the move removes the threat of incarceration for minor possessions, the governor has pushed back the notion of decriminalizing cannabis.

State Representative Cedric Glover (D), who sponsored the Decriminalization Act, has partnered with advocacy group Louisiana Progress to work on an awareness campaign to educate and inform the public about the new reform through FAQ brochures they publish. They also use social media.

RELATED: Louisiana Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

“When I saw two councilors in my hometown of Shreveport – one Conservative and one progressive – come together to decriminalize personal marijuana possession, I knew it was time to take this reform to the state level said Glover, who runs the Shreveport area. “The criminalization of marijuana possession is harmful in many ways to the people of Louisiana, but particularly harmful to blacks and browns, low-income people, and the young. I sincerely hope that this new law will finally bring some relief and a sense of freedom to these communities. “

RELATED: Why the Southern States Are Still Pushing Back on Marijuana Legalization

The governor has said in the past that he is unlikely to sign a law to legalize recreational marijuana, even though that reform “will finally take place in Louisiana.”

A law to legalize smokable medical marijuana

In June, Edwards signed another bill allowing medical cannabis patients to legally smoke whole plant marijuana flowers.

The move significantly expanded the state’s medical marijuana program, which previously only allowed patients to vaporize cannabis through a “metered inhaler”.

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