Decriminalization of Marijuana in Florida

Democratic state Rep. Shervin Jones filed HB 25 into legislation on Monday August 5, 2019. This bill would reduce criminal penalties for possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis and products containing 600 milligrams or less of THC. For juveniles, on their first offense arrested for possession of certain amounts of cannabis, they would be eligible for civil citation or pre-arrest diversion programs.

Anyone who is caught with marijuana will have reduced penalties and consequences, or less jail time, smaller fines, and possibly even not having a criminal record. Right now under Florida’s laws, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis is a first-degree misdemeanor which can hold a penalty up to one-year in jail, or one-year probation plus a $1,000 fine.

If someone is convicted with possession, they can be ineligible for a government job and public housing as well as interfering with college applications and employment. Rather then keep this first-degree misdemeanor, the bill would make it a noncriminal violation.

If the bill passes, Florida will be the 27th state to decriminalize marijuana The proposal is filed for the 2020 legislative session.

Frank T. Luciano has helped people in Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson Counties. He is familiar with handling possession cases with not just marijuana but cocaine and heroin is as well. He has been a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorney’s for many years. If you or someone you know has been arrested, call now. You can get started with an initial consultation by calling 973-471-0004.

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