PA Senate Democrats file decriminalization bill

Contact your state senator and ask them to support SB 107!

I have some encouraging news to share with you. Last week, Sen. Sharif Street filed a bill with the Judiciary Committee to decriminalize up to 30 grams of cannabis.

Currently, possession and distribution of 30 grams of cannabis (or eight grams of hashish without intent to sell) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment and a $500 fine.

Under SB 107, the penalty for possession and distribution would be reduced to a summary offense and a $25 civil fine. The penalty for smoking cannabis in public places would be reduced to a $100 civil fine.

While the measure is an important step toward ending the failed policies of the war on cannabis, it wouldn’t reduce penalties associated with paraphernalia. In other words, cannabis consumers could still be jailed for the baggie cannabis is stored in, even if the cannabis itself is decriminalized.

The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. We know that inaction will only lead to continued arrests and the ruining of more lives of Pennsylvanians.

Please consider emailing your state senator and asking them to strengthen the bill and sign on as a cosponsor.

Thank you for your support, and please continue to look out for updates throughout the 2021 legislative session.