Lower penalty for minor pot infraction, Iowa senators say [View all]

DES MOINES — Penalties would be reduced for possession of small amounts of marijuana under a proposal that passed a key step Monday at the Iowa Capitol.

A first offense of possessing 5 grams or fewer of marijuana would be downgraded from a serious misdemeanor to a simple misdemeanor under legislation approved by the Iowa Senate.

That means the penalty would decrease from up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 to up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $625.

“This changes the point of entry in the court system,” Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said. “Minuscule residue levels like this might be better for a magistrate court.”

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/lower-penalty-for-minor-marijuana-infraction-iowa-senators-say-20190401