A bill aiming to reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in North Dakota was rejected by the Senate in a 33-13 vote. House Bill 1596 would have decreased the penalty for possessing less than half an ounce of marijuana to a noncriminal citation and a $150 fine. The bill also outlined reduced penalties for other low-level marijuana possession offenses, depending on the amount and age of the person involved.
Despite support from some senators, such as Sen. Ryan Braunberger, D-Fargo, who noted that neighboring states were increasingly legalizing marijuana, the bill faced opposition from others like Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg. Myrdal argued that law enforcement agencies were against the bill and that it went against the wishes of North Dakota voters who had previously rejected a recreational marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
Sen. Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, questioned the lack of escalating penalties for repeat violations of marijuana possession and emphasized the importance of maintaining criminal offenses as designated by the people’s votes. However, state’s attorneys from Cass County and Stark County supported the bill, highlighting the changing landscape of marijuana legislation in neighboring states.
The bill had previously passed in the House but failed to garner enough support in the Senate. The issue of marijuana legalization and penalties for possession is expected to remain contentious, with differing viewpoints on the appropriate approach to managing minor marijuana offenses.
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