MARIJUANA PROPOSAL FAILS

State lawmakers are not ready to lighten up on marijuana offenses as
was demonstrated Tuesday when Sen. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) attempted
to increase the amount of marijuana a dealer has to sell before being
punished with a felony.

Under current law, the possession of half an ounce of marijuana or
less carries a misdemeanor and could result in up to one year of
prison. However, the sale of half an ounce to 10 pounds of marijuana
is a felony punished by one to six years in prison and a fine of up to
$5,000.

In an attempt to distinguish between users and dealers, Cohen tried to
raise the amount resulting in a felony from half an ounce to one
ounce. However, his proposal failed because no other senator on the
Judiciary Committee was willing to second it.

"It just shows, once you pass a bad law, it's difficult to change it,"
Cohen said, adding marijuana should be legalized.

The discussion arose because the administration wants to allocate $4
million to stiffen the penalties on methamphetamine possession to
bring it in line with cocaine offenses.