Lousiana Senate OKs bill reducing penalties for marijuana paraphernalia, it goes to House

LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) — The Louisiana Senate passed the amended version of HB165, which would decriminalize marijuana and the use of drug paraphernalia, such as bongs and pipes.

The Senate approved changes to the proposed fines for repeat offenders 24-14 on Tuesday, May 21.

State Rep. Delisha Boyd (D- New Orleans) proposed the bill, working to reduce penalties and jail time for first-time offenders.

Individuals found for the first time with drug paraphernalia with the intention to use or that was solely used for marijuana would be fined no more than $100, according to the changes made to the bill, highlighted in subsection E.

Under the existing law, a first-time offense is punishable by a fine of about $300 and no more than 15 days in jail or both.

According to the LSU Manship School of Communications, state Sen. Royce Duplessis (D-New Orleans), who presented HB165 to the senate, referred to it as "common sense."

“Currently, the possession of marijuana is less of a penalty than marijuana paraphernalia,” said Duplessis.

HB165 falls in line with national legislative efforts to decrease punishments related to marijuana.

The bill is scheduled to go back to the House on May 28 for final approval.

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