New Florida bill SB 94 would reduce marijuana possession penalties. What to know – Cannabis Business Executive

A new cannabis bill in Florida is looking to reduce criminal penalties for the possession of cannabis for first, second and third-time violators.

Florida Senator Shevrin Jones, D-Miami-Dade, introduced the bill on Jan. 9 at the kickoff of Florida’s 2024 Legislative Session.

Jones’ bill is another push to help make the state more marijuana-friendly as voters will likely have the chance to vote on whether to legalize recreational marijuana usage in the 2024 election.

Jones’ bill is short and succinct, here’s what it does.

Florida SB 94 would loosen penalties for cannabis possession

Florida SB 94 seeks to lessen penalties for first-, second- and third-time offenders found to be in possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis.

The proposed bill would downgrade the offense to a noncriminal violation rather than a first-degree misdemeanor. These violations will be punishable by a series of escalating fines based on the number of offenses.

First-time offenders would pay $100 for a violation, then $250 and finally $500 for a third violation.

Any subsequent violation would result in a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine, according to Section 775.082 and 775.083 of Florida Statues.

Florida SB 94 would omit drug paraphernalia found in connection with cannabis possession

Florida SB 94 introduces another paragraph that would bar law enforcement from considering drug paraphernalia found in connection with first-,second- and third-time offenders of cannabis connection as a criminal act, and prevent prosecution.

[Read more at Pensacola News Journal]