Bill to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties Heads to Iowa Senate

DES MOINES, Iowa – Supporters of a bill that would reduce the penalties for first time marijuana possession say it would save Iowans money and reduce the disproportionate number of African-Americans in the criminal justice system.

Iowa's first offense penalty for even a single marijuana joint is one of the toughest in the country–up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Daniel Zeno, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, says the state's harsh penalties hit minority and low-income communities the hardest.

"The data shows that Iowa is ranked the worst in the country for racial disparities in terms of marijuana arrests,” he points out. “Eighteen percent of people convicted for first-time possession were African-American, even though African-Americans make up 3.5 percent of the population in Iowa."

Senate File 432 would reduce penalties for possession of five grams of marijuana or less to a simple misdemeanor, with no more than 30 days in jail and a maximum $625 fine.

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