House lawmakers have failed to act on Senate File 96, which sought to enhance certain marijuana possession penalties, prior to a legislative deadline — thus tabling the bill for this session.
NORML thanks those of you who took time to contact your elected officials and urged them to reject this measure. However, although the bill is defeated for now, lawmakers may revisit the topic as part of an interim legislative session later this year. As a result, we are urging constituents to continue to contact their lawmakers to urge them to stand against increasing penalties for the possession of edible marijuana products.
As initially introduced and passed by the Senate, Senate File 96 sought to establish felony penalties for the possession of edible marijuana products. The House was considering an amended version of the bill which imposed increasing misdemeanor penalties based upon the amount of THC available in edible products.
Marijuana-infused edible products are becoming popular alternative modes of delivery, particularly among those who wish to avoid the respiratory effects associated with smoking. In fact, some states like New York and Minnesota, mandate by statute that qualified patients must only consume ingestible cannabis preparations in lieu of inhaling herbal cannabis.
It is arbitrary and unwarranted for Wyoming lawmakers to treat these alternative formulations of cannabis as an enhanced offense. Minor offenders who possess marijuana, many of them young people, should not be saddled with a criminal record and the lifelong penalties and stigma associated with it.
For more information on this measure and other pending reforms, contact Wyoming NORML.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
