Bill > SB219

This bill amends West Virginia's controlled substance law to change the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana from a misdemeanor crime to a civil violation. Specifically, the bill modifies section 60A-4-401(c) to establish that possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana will now be subject to a civil penalty of no more than $25, rather than being treated as a criminal offense. Under the current law, individuals caught with marijuana could be confined in jail for 90 days to six months and/or fined up to $1,000. The new provision reduces this to a simple civil offense with a minor financial penalty, effectively decriminalizing small-scale marijuana possession. This change means that individuals found with a small amount of marijuana would face a fine similar to a traffic ticket, without the more serious consequences of a criminal record, potential jail time, or more substantial financial penalties. The bill represents a shift towards a less punitive approach to minor marijuana possession in West Virginia.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=219&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill