Possession Of Up To Six Ounces Now Legal
The new law allows that any adult who is 21 years or older may legally possess up to six ounces of marijuana. The law also establishes the framework for the legal purchase of marijuana at state-approved dispensaries. Still, it may be some time before you can physically walk into a recreational cannabis dispensary to purchase the drug. Criminal penalties will still exist for the manufacture and distribution of marijuana outside of state-licensed retailers and growers. A major point of contention amongst legislators was how underage consumption and possession of marijuana is to be treated under the new legal framework. Lawmakers settled on a tiered warning system similar to the underage alcohol laws where the most serious offense will result in a referral to a community-based substance abuse educational course.
Decriminalization At Forefront Of Law
The journey toward the legalization of marijuana began as a social justice movement. Black residents are 3.5 times more likely than whites to be charged with a marijuana offense, so legalization advocates have long pursued a change in the law that acknowledges this disparity.