Bill > SB2414

This bill proposes the following key provisions: 1. It reduces the punishment for simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana from a criminal offense to a civil penalty of up to $100. For possession of 10 grams or less of synthetic cannabinoids, the penalty would be a fine of $100 to $250. 2. It grants municipal courts jurisdiction over these civil marijuana possession offenses, allowing them to be enforced by summons rather than arrest. 3. It maintains criminal penalties for larger amounts of marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids, as well as other controlled substances. 4. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2023. This represents a shift in Mississippi's approach to low-level marijuana possession, decriminalizing it and treating it as a civil rather than criminal offense, while still maintaining criminal penalties for more significant drug crimes. The changes are intended to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system and the collateral consequences for individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana.