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House committee approves amendment to HB 1596 to treat low-level THC possession as noncriminal citation for adults, infractions for juveniles
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee voted to adopt amendments and give HB 1596 a do-pass recommendation as amended, converting many low-level tetrahydrocannabinol possession charges into noncriminal citations for adults and infractions for juveniles and setting a $150 fine for the new citation level.
BISMARCK, N.D. — The House Judiciary Committee on April 30 voted to adopt amendments to House Bill 1596 and recommended the bill pass as amended, changing how the state treats many low-level tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) possession cases.
The committee adopted the proposed amendment and then voted 11-1 (two members absent, not voting) to give HB 1596 a “do pass” as amended. The amendments shift many low-level THC possession cases away from class B misdemeanors and toward a system that treats adults with a noncriminal citation (a $150 fine under the amended language) and juveniles as subject to infractions handled in juvenile court.
Why it matters: Supporters said the change would reduce time and expense for courts, prosecutors and indigent defense by resolving the large number of low-level THC cases with a ticketing approach. Opponents warned the change weakens penalties and asked that repeat offenses be escalated to stronger sanctions.
What the amendments do: The…
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