The state of Louisiana made history this past weekend when Act 247 (House Bill 652) went into effect.
On August 1st the state’s new law to decriminalize marijuana went into affect.
Louisiana Progress and State Rep. Cedric Glover, who sponsored the bill, are now teaming up to promote an FAQ on the new law and to launch an awareness campaign that will help residents of the state know their new rights.
Per the new law, a possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana will be punishable by a fine of up to $100 or a court summons, without the possibility for jail or prison time. This is no matter how many times someone is arrested for possessing that amount.
By passing House Bill 652, the Louisiana legislature has recognized that the time has come to rethink how we punish people for using marijuana.
“Marijuana decriminalization will truly make a difference in the lives of the people of our state,” said Peter Robins-Brown, policy & advocacy director at Louisiana Progress.
“It’s an important first step in modernizing marijuana policy in Louisiana, and it’s another milestone in the ongoing effort to address our incarceration crisis, which has trapped so many people in a cycle of poverty and prison. Now it’s time to make sure that everyone knows their rights under this new law, and that law enforcement officers understand how to properly implement it.”
Rep. Glover and Louisiana Progress have answered some FAQs that can be found here:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59e663dda9db099bec95c1ff/t/610452555a5c4c416f7f5e63/1627673200071/7%2F30%2F2021+MJ+MEMO+LAP.pdf
The awareness campaign to be launched will include a social media push, more informational materials, outreach to law enforcement agencies and local elected officials, and, eventually in-person events.
