Gov. Edwards Signs Penalty Drop For Drug Paraphernalia Charges

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards has agreed to lessen the penalties for possessing, selling and using drug paraphernalia, to conform with reduced marijuana penalties passed last year.

Someone caught with the drug supplies will face up to 15 days in jail and a fine up to $300 on a first offense.

A second offense will carry a jail term of no more than six months and a fine up to $1,000. Someone convicted for a third or subsequent offense will face prison time of up to two years and a fine as high as $2,500.

Edwards' office announced late Tuesday that the governor had signed the measure by Rep. Greg Miller, a Norco Republican, into law.

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House Bill 267: www.legis.la.gov

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