Augusta Lawmaker Files to End Marijuana Possession Felony Penalty

An Augusta legislator has pre-filed legislation that would eliminate felony penalties for marijuana possession.

Last week, Sen. Harold Jones II, filed Senate Bill 254, which he said would “eliminate the draconian penalties that accompany a felony arrest and conviction” for possessing the drug.

Possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana is considered a felony in Georgia. Ten states don’t have felony possession laws, while the rest vary on how much constitutes a felony, the Democrat said. For instance, the minimum amount for a first-offense felony in New Mexico is “any,” while it’s 960 ounces in Louisiana.

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