Key Votes
S 2253 - Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Marijuana - Key Vote
Rhode Island Key Votes
Stages
- June 13, 2012 Executive Signed
- June 11, 2012 House Bill Passed
- June 5, 2012 Senate Bill Passed
- Jan. 26, 2012 Introduced
Family
Issues
Stage Details
Legislation - Signed (Executive) - June 13, 2012
Title: Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Marijuana
Signed by Governor Linc Chafee
Legislation - Bill Passed (House) (43-19) - June 11, 2012
Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) (28-6) - June 5, 2012 (Key vote)
Title: Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Marijuana
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that decreases criminal penalties for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana.
Highlights:
- Classifies the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana as a civil offense, whereas current law classifies it as a criminal offense (Sec. 1).
- Requires that the possession of 1 once or less of marijuana result in the following civil penalties (Sec. 1):
- $150 fine for an individual who is 18 years of age or older; and
- $150 fine, completion of an approved drug awareness program and community service for an individual under the age of 18.
- Specifies that an individual can face arrest if the individual fails to provide identification to a police office after having been cited for possession of 1 once or less of marijuana
- Specifies that an individual issued a third citation for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana after 2 citations in the previous 18 months is subject to the following (Sec. 1):
- Arrest for no more than 30 days; or
- A fine no less than $200 and no more than $500.
- Requires that any records about violations collected by a state agency containing identifiable information are to be destroyed 18 months after the issuance of the civil fine (Sec. 1).
- Classifies the possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana as a misdemeanor subject to the following (Sec. 1):
- No more than 1 year in prison;
- A fine no less than $200 and no more than $500; or
- Both.
- Requires 50 percent of the fines collected for possession of marijuana to be spent on drug awareness and treatment programs for youth (Sec. 1).
Note:
NOTE: THIS IS A SUBSTITUTE BILL, MEANING THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORIGINAL BILL HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE SUBSTITUTE BILL TEXT DIFFERS FROM THE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE TEXT CAN VARY GREATLY.
Legislation - Introduced (Senate) - Jan. 26, 2012
Title: Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Marijuana
Sponsors
- Paul V. Jabour (RI - D)
- Harold M. Metts (RI - D)
- Joshua Miller (RI - D)
- Donna M. Nesselbush (RI - D)
- Rhoda E. Perry (RI - D) (Out Of Office)
