Signed by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to repass a bill, after having concurred with Senate amendments thereto, that amend laws concerning the possession of controlled substances.

Highlights:

-Reduces the crime of drug use to a class two misdemeanor, with separate standards for marijuana (Sec. 2). -Increases the amount of drugs, not including marijuana or methamphetamine, considered "simple possession" from 1 gram or less to 4 grams or less (Sec. 4). -Establishes that the amount of methamphetamine considered simple possession is 2 grams (Sec. 4). -Specifies that possession of drugs other than marijuana greater than the amount for simple possession is a class 4 felony (Sec. 4). -Establishes the following penalties for marijuana possession (Sec. 6):

-possession under 2 ounces is a petty offense; -possession of between 2 and 6 ounces is a class 2 misdemeanor; -possession of between 6 and 12 ounces is a class 1 misdemeanor; and -possession of over 12 ounces is a class 6 felony.

-Increases the amount of marijuana that can be transferred or dispensed before considering it a sale and making it a class 2 petty offense, from no more than one ounce to no more than two ounces (Sec 6). -Establishes, that except for people who lawfully cultivate medical marijuana, possession of 6 or fewer marijuana plants is a class 1 misdemeanor; possession of more than 6, but less than 30 plants is a class 5 felony; and possession of more than 30 plants is a class 4 felony (Sec 6). -Specifies that the money allocated to the Drug Offender Surcharge Fund be used to cover the costs of the treatment of substance abuse disorders of adult offenders (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends laws concerning the possession of controlled substances.

Highlights:

-Reduces the crime of drug use to a class two misdemeanor, with separate standards for marijuana (Sec. 2). -Increases the amount of drugs, not including marijuana or methamphetamine, considered "simple possession" from 1 gram or less to 4 grams or less (Sec. 4). -Establishes that the amount of methamphetamine considered simple possession is 2 grams (Sec. 4). -Specifies that possession of drugs other than marijuana greater than the amount for simple possession is a class 4 felony (Sec. 4). -Establishes the following penalties for marijuana possession (Sec. 6):

-possession under 2 ounces is a petty offense; -possession of between 2 and 6 ounces is a class 2 misdemeanor; -possession of between 6 and 12 ounces is a class 1 misdemeanor; and -possession of over 12 ounces is a class 6 felony.

-Increases the amount of marijuana that can be transferred or dispensed before considering it a sale and making it a class 2 petty offense, from no more than one ounce to no more than two ounces (Sec 6). -Establishes, that except for people who lawfully cultivate medical marijuana, possession of 6 or fewer marijuana plants is a class 1 misdemeanor; possession of more than 6, but less than 30 plants is a class 5 felony; and possession of more than 30 plants is a class 4 felony (Sec 6). -Specifies that the money allocated to the Drug Offender Surcharge Fund be used to cover the costs of the treatment of substance abuse disorders of adult offenders (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text