Bill to reduce subsequent marijuana charges receives skepticism
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT NewsOK.com
Thursday, February 14, 2013
2/14/13 at 5:19 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY - A measure that would no longer make second and subsequent charges of possessing marijuana a felony in Oklahoma remains alive, despite skepticism from several members of a legislative committee.
"I believe that while our constituents don't support us coming down here and legalizing it, I do believe that they support us being smart on crime," said Rep. Cory Williams, the author of House Bill 1835. "We're not being soft on it; we're not legalizing it."
Williams, D-Stillwater, agreed to stop a committee hearing on his measure Wednesday so he could work on it, particularly coming up with a maximum number of charges for which simple marijuana possession could result in a felony. He said he also would work with prosecutors to consider a weight measure, with the amount of the drug in a subsequent arrest determining whether a misdemeanor or felony charge would be warranted.
Williams said his bill would not affect those charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Original Print Headline: Bill to reduce subsequent pot charges alive despite skeptics
Click here to read the complete article at NewsOK.com.
