Bill Proposing $420 Fine For Possessing Small Amounts Of Weed Likely Dead Until Next Year

Idaho lawmakers agreed Thursday to hold a cannabis bill that would have established a $420 mandatory minimum fine for small amounts of weed.

The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration committee prevented the measure from Rep. Bruce Skaug (R) from reaching the floor, which means the bill is most likely killed for the year, writes Idaho Capital Sun. 

House Bill 606, which proposes a mandatory minimum fine for possession of less than 3 ounces of cannabis is Skaug’s second attempt to create this fine. It was meant to clarify that other penalties defined under the state law can also be simultaneously applied to the $420 fine. Under current state law, anyone caught in possession of more than 3 ounces of cannabis is facing either a prison sentence of up to fine years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Other than Wyoming, all of Idaho's neighboring states have legalized either medical or recreational cannabis. Skaug's said he wanted to send a message that Idaho is tough on marijuana.

Several bipartisan lawmakers, however, expressed concerns around the legislation with some arguing that mandatory minimum fine takes away a judge's discretion. 

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