Utah: Support decrim passing in 2026!

Good news! A cannabis decriminalization bill has been filed by Rep. Grant Biller (D). Currently, Utah is one of the 19 states where possession of a joint can still land you in jail. Under current Utah law, possession of as little as an ounce of marijuana can result in a six-month jail sentence. There is no reason for a minor infraction like cannabis possession to land a person in jail or carry life-altering consequences.

If you live in Utah, urge lawmakers to make possession of small amounts of cannabis a civil penalty!

The bill, HB 253, would reduce the penalty for possession of up to 14 grams to a civil infraction for a first offense, with subsequent offenses being misdemeanors. Infractions can carry fines up to $750, with no jail time.

Four of Utah’s neighboring states — New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada —  have legalized cannabis for adults. While Utah should follow their lead, HB 253 is still an important step. It would save thousands of Utahns each year from a traumatic arrest and criminal record. In 2024, the FBI Uniform Crime Report found 6,935 arrests in Utah for simple cannabis possession!