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Bill > HB481


VA HB481

Marijuana; decriminalization of simple marijuana possession, penalty.


summary

Introduced
01/03/2020
In Committee
01/03/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/12/2020

Introduced Session

2020 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Marijuana; decriminalization of simple marijuana possession; penalty. Decriminalizes simple marijuana possession and provides a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second violation, and $250 for a third or subsequent violation. Current law imposes a maximum fine of $500 and a maximum 30-day jail sentence for a first offense, and subsequent offenses are a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill provides that the suspended sentence/substance abuse screening provisions and driver's license suspension provisions apply only to criminal violations or to civil violations by a juvenile. The bill provides that a court may suspend a driver's license for a civil violation committed by an adult. A civil violation will be treated as a conviction for prohibitions on the purchase or transport of a handgun and disqualification for a concealed handgun permit.

AI Summary

This bill decriminalizes simple marijuana possession and provides a civil penalty structure rather than criminal penalties. Under the bill, a first offense results in a $50 civil penalty, a second offense results in a $100 civil penalty, and a third or subsequent offense results in a $250 civil penalty. The bill also removes driver's license suspension and substance abuse screening/treatment provisions for civil marijuana possession violations by adults, though the court may still suspend a driver's license for an adult civil violation. Additionally, the bill provides that a civil marijuana possession violation will be treated as a conviction for purposes of prohibitions on handgun purchases and concealed carry permits.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Incorporated by Courts of Justice (on 02/05/2020)

bill text


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