Wyoming House Won’t Ease Marijuana Penalties

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming House of Representatives has voted against a bill that would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The House voted 45-to-15 yesterday against introducing a bill sponsored by Cheyenne Democrat James Byrd. The bill would have provided for small civil penalties for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

Byrd noted that Wyoming currently arrests people for marijuana possession.

Existing Wyoming law specifies that possession of greater than three ounces of marijuana is a felony while possession of lesser amounts is a misdemeanor that can result in jail time.

Neighboring Colorado recently decriminalized marijuana possession.

Rep. Steve Harshman, a Casper Republican, urged the House to defeat the bill. He said it's important for Wyoming legislators to send the right message to children in the state.