
A loophole in Wyoming law that has induced judges to throw out marijuana convictions is one step closer to being closed.
Legislation to close the legal loophole passed the Wyoming Senate last week and on Monday a substitute bill was approved 7 to 1 by the House Judiciary Committee. The bill still requires the House’s approval and the Senate to OK the changes—or a legislative conference—before it can reach the governor’s desk.
Wyoming judges have on at least two occasions thrown out marijuana possession cases because state law identifies marijuana as a plant. The proposed legislation would also identify other forms of marijuana in state law, including extracts, edibles and liquids.
The committee’s substitute bill is identical to a House bill that aimed to rewrite Wyoming marijuana laws with less specificity than the original Senate version. That bill failed a February introductory vote 10 to 49.
Although the substitute bill would close a loophole, it wouldn’t as closely address the varying concentrations of THC in marijuana products.
Top image: © Christopher Boswell | Adobe Stock