High Time For Wyoming To Decriminalize Marijuana? [VIDEO]

Getting busted for up to 3 ounces of marijuana in Wyoming now can get you up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. An offender can currently get deferred prosecution, or probation, instead of time behind bars. The penalties for use and possession goes up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 in the felony realm when the quantity goes above 3 ounces.

With the next session of the Wyoming Legislature beginning on Tuesday, laws could ease up. Rep. James Byrd wants to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana with a fine of $50 to $100 for up to an ounce for a 1^st or 2^nd offense. Byrd also says we are putting too many people behind bars for what amounts to a nuisance crime and hopes Wyoming will eventually legalize and control recreational marijuana use. Last year, Byrd’s decriminalization bill got shot down but his House Bill 29 will take another run at easing penalties this year.

Senator Cale Case agrees that we are sending too many offenders to prison for what should be a low level crime and is leading Senate File 38, that would allow for deferred prosecution for those 1^st time offenders convicted of or have plead guilty of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Another group is proposing the use of hemp extract for medical uses such as epilepsy.

Colorado’s legalization is affecting many states and Wyoming is feeling the effects like other states that are filing suit against Colorado for their own increased costs in enforcing marijuana laws.

Is it high time for legalizing pot in The Cowboy State? I doubt that will happen any time soon. Should we lower the penalties? It does seem a bit heavy handed for criminalizing an occasional, recreational pot user. That said, I think we should move very carefully on these laws as we keep an eye on Colorado and Washington State.