Bill aims for fine, not crime, for pot

The $1,000 penalty would be firm, but possession would not require jail time

By Derrick DePledge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 27, 2013

~~<p>State senators are drafting a bill that would decriminalize the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana but would impose a stiff fine on those caught with the drug.</p>
<p>The civil fine for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana would be $1,000, the same maximum penalty as under existing criminal law, but offenders would not face the prospect of 30 days in jail. Senators had initially wanted to set the civil fine at $100, the penalty courts typically impose, but senators upped the fine in the hopes of attracting support for the bill in the House.</p>
~~

State senators are drafting a bill that would decriminalize the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana but would impose a stiff fine on those caught with the drug.

The civil fine for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana would be $1,000, the same maximum penalty as under existing criminal law, but offenders would not face the prospect of 30 days in jail. Senators had initially wanted to set the civil fine at $100, the penalty courts typically impose, but senators upped the fine in the hopes of attracting support for the bill in the House. Login for more...