A proposal to lessen sentences faced by those convicted of simple marijuana possession multiple times was pulled from debate by the representative who proposed the legislation. The bill authored by New Orleans area Representative Austin Badon was pulled from the committee after leaders of the Louisiana Sheriffs Association voiced strong opposition to the bill.

Badon's believed the bill would be a good way to save the state money. He suggested that Louisiana's marijuana laws are actually hurting the state the way they are currently written and enforced.

Louisiana Sheriffs Association Director Michael Ranatza  voiced strong opposition to the legislation in his comments that were reported by the Louisiana Radio Network.

"It always starts with lessening the penalties, it ends up with issues toward legalization. For that reason alone, we are opposed."

Badon did not indicate whether he would reintroduce the legislation to the House Criminal Justice Committee for discussion at a later time.

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