House Judiciary panel backs bill making low-level THC possession a noncriminal citation for adults and juvenile infraction for minors

The House Judiciary Committee voted to give House Bill 1596 a do-pass recommendation as amended, moving most low-level tetrahydrocannabinol possession for adults to a noncriminal citation with a $150 preset fine and treating similar conduct for people under 18 as juvenile infractions.

Supporters said the change is meant to reduce court and jail workloads and recover some penalty revenue without imposing full criminal prosecutions. Representative Vetter, a cosponsor, said the amendments place juveniles in the juvenile system and treat them differently from adults.

Opponents and some committee members objected to reducing penalties without clearer escalators for repeat offenders. "I might be old school, but I really struggle when we keep dropping the penalties and allowing more because we've got jails full and courts full," Representative Twit said, adding he would vote against the amendment and the bill.

Committee discussion and the bill text…