Florida Lawmaker Proposes Decriminalizing Illicit Drugs Like Cocaine & Heroin, Lowering Cannabis Penalties

Florida representativeĀ Dotie JosephĀ (D) submitted aĀ legislativeĀ proposalĀ ā€œCollateral Consequences of Convictions and Decriminalization of Cannabis and All Drugs Actā€ recently,Ā in an effort to decriminalize all currently illegal drugs,Ā reported Marijuana Moment.Ā 

Under the bill,Ā anyoneĀ with a criminal recordĀ for past cannabis-related offenses would be eligible forĀ an automatic expungement within a year since the arrest andĀ cannabis possession of up to one ounce would be considered a non-criminal violation punishable with a $50 fine, instead of a misdemeanor offense. Marijuana delivery of up to an ounce will be treated the same way.

The proposalĀ ā€œintends the prioritization of rehabilitative health intervention in lieu of criminalization for personal usage of controlled substances, including but is not limited to stimulantsĀ including cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, heroin, fentanyl, depressants or benzodiazepines, and other addictive controlled substance.ā€

Furthermore, the bill notes that offenses ā€œassociated with the personal usage and possession of controlled substances that do not involve production, distribution or sale shall be decriminalized in favor of civil fines and referral for drug rehabilitation.ā€

The billā€™s goal is to promote the health and public safety of Florida residents and to use revenues to support education, improve substance abuse prevention and treatment, among other things.

The legislation also demands that Florida’s health department to research ā€œmore effective methods of addressing drug addiction in lieu of criminalizing.ā€

Photo: Courtesy of Florida-Guidebook.com on Unsplash

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