Louisiana marijuana law changes endorsed by House, headed to Senate

Louisiana is known for many things, but least celebrated might be the incarceration capitol of the world. A bill proposed that would lower penalties for multiple marijuana offenses passed the state house, and is on it's way to the senate. Current max sentencing is 6 months for first time possession, and up to 20 years for 3 or more offenses. This new bill would drop max penalties from 20 years down to 5 years, but would leave the first offense at a max of 6 months.

Badon originally sought to exempt marijuana possession as a consideration under the state's habitual offender -- or three strikes -- sentencing law. He removed that measure as part of a compromise with the lobby groups after learning simple marijuana possession was rarely applied as a factor in habitual offender sentencing.