HB 1289 Summary: Cannabis

• Creates new civil violation for adults 18+ possessing up to 20 grams of cannabis (with max 5 grams as resin/concentrates) or cannabis accessories, with penalty of up to $100 or optional 15 hours community service instead.

• Minors under 18 committing same violation must complete up to 15 hours of community service, attend a drug awareness program (up to $75 fee), or both, with no arrest permitted except for failure to provide identification.

• Prohibits the state and political subdivisions from imposing penalties beyond those specified in the act for personal use possession, and prevents use of cannabis violations or cannabinoid presence in body tissue as grounds for denying student aid, housing, driving privileges, or foster/adoptive parent eligibility.

• Requires law enforcement to issue noncriminal citations instead of arrests for personal use violations, which cannot be recorded in criminal databases; local data collection mandated to be compiled and published by Department of Law Enforcement.

• Civil penalties from violations split 50/50 between local jurisdiction and state drug abuse treatment funds; act takes effect July 1, 2019.