Louisiana House Committee Votes To Ease Marijuana Penalties

Currently inside the Louisiana penal system there are people doing longer prison sentences for simple marijuana possession than people who have been convicted of killing another human being. One Louisiana lawmaker believes it's time to rethink the punishment for marijuana crimes and make that punishment really fit the crime.

Austin Badon, a Representative from the New Orleans area, has proposed a bill that would reduce the penalties for simple marijuana possession. Obviously the Louisiana House's Criminal Justice Committee agrees with Badon's assessment. They passed Badon's bill out of committee yesterday by a vote of 10-4.

In Badon's legislation judges and district attorneys would have limits placed upon the sentences they could order or request for those found guilty of marijuana possession. There are some that say Badon's legislation is unnecessary since judges and prosecutors have discretion already in recommending sentences in these kinds of cases.

Lawyers representing the ACLU commented that while the more flexible sentencing options would be welcomed and more within the spirit of the law, they suggest that Badon's bill will not help those who are already doing extended time for pot possession since the bill has retroactive provision.

Badon's legislation will move forward into the full house for more debate and discussion in the coming days.