January 23, 2013; Andrew Stein; VTDigger
A tri-partisan group of nine senators introduced a bill on Wednesday that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.
The bill proposes “to change the penalty for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by a person 21 years of age or older from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil fine.” For individuals under the age of 21, however, they would face the same penalties that they do for underage possession of alcohol.
Civil fines would be capped at $100 per incident, and fifth-time offenders would face a maximum charge of $500.
