News - Local
Drug law change considered
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 4:23 PM by Greg Boyce
Drug users could end up spending less time behind bars to free up more money for treatment under an overhaul of the state's drug laws being pushed by bipartisan group of lawmakers.
The bill introduced Tuesday also has the support of prosecutors, public defenders and Attorney General John Suthers. State law now treats drug users and dealers much the same and people convicted of possession can face between two to six years in state prison. The bill would create a distinction between dealing and using and raise the threshold for possession to four grams for most drugs.
Prosecutors would be able to charge drug users with a less severe felony carrying a sentence of between 12 and 18 months. They'd still retain the right to charge anyone with distribution however.
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