House Bill 1010 - Summary

• Prohibits asset forfeiture for arrests or convictions involving possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana in Mississippi.

• Amends forfeiture statutes (Sections 41-29-153, 41-29-176, 41-29-179) to explicitly exclude small marijuana possession cases from property seizure and forfeiture proceedings.

• Requires the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics to track seized property on a public searchable website, including notation when forfeiture was improperly executed due to small marijuana possession arrests.

• Changes the burden of proof standard in forfeiture hearings from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence" for the state to prove property is subject to forfeiture.

• Brings forward Section 41-29-139 defining controlled substance violations and penalties, including sentencing provisions for marijuana possession and distribution offenses.