HB 1403 Summary

• Creates a civil violation for adults 18+ who possess 1 ounce or less of cannabis or cannabis accessories, with fines up to $100 or up to 15 hours of community service as alternative.

• Minors caught possessing personal use quantities must complete up to 15 hours of community service, attend a drug awareness program, or both, with no arrest authority except for failure to provide identification.

• Prohibits arrest for personal use cannabis possession violations and prevents such violations from being considered drug offenses, affecting driving privileges, or causing denial of student financial aid or public housing.

• Distributes civil penalty revenue equally between the municipality/county where violation occurred (50%) and the County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Trust Fund or Department of Children and Families (50%).

• Maintains criminal penalties for delivery, possession over 1 ounce, and trafficking while excluding cannabis accessories from drug paraphernalia definitions; effective July 1, 2017.