An Act To Streamline and Clarify Laws Pertaining to the Civil and Criminal Possession of Marijuana
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0250
Committee Amendment CA_A_H42 (House)
Amends: 17-A MRSA §1106, 22 MRSA §2383

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "f} " to H.P, 196, L.O. 250, Bill, "An Act To 
Streamline and Clarify Laws Pertaining to the Civil and Criminal Possession of 
Marijuana" 
Amend the bill by inserting after the enacting clause and before section 1 the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §1106, sub-§3, ~A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 924, §12, is 
amended to read: 
A. More than +-l-f4 2 112 ounces of marijuana;' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in paragraph F in subparagraph (1) in the first line (page 
1, line 6 in L.D.) by striking out the following: ",1" and inserting the following: '2 1/2' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 2 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §2383, sub-§l, as amended by PL 2005, c. 386, Pt. DO, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
1. Marijuana. Except as provided in section 2383-B, subsection 5, a person may 
not possess marijuana. 
A. A person who possesses a usable amount of marijuana commits a civil violation 
for which a fine of not less than $350 and not more than $600 must be adjudged for 
possession of up to 1 1/4 ounces of marijuana and a fine of not less than $700 and not 
more than $1,000 must be adjudged for possession of over 1 114 ounces to 2 1/2 
ounces of marijuana, none of which may be suspended. 
B. A person 'Nho possesses a usable amount of marijuana after having previously 
violated this subsection ":,,,ithin a 6 year period commits a civil violation for ,,.,,hich a 
fine of $550 mllst be adjudged, none of\vhich may be suspended.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITIEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 196, L.D. 250 
SUMMARY 
This amendment makes it a civil violation to possess up to 2 112 ounces of marijuana. 
The fines for possession of up to I 114 ounces do not change, and fines for possession of 
up to 2 112 ounces must be not less than $700 and not more than $1,000. The amendment 
repeals penalties for prior civil violations, since the new fines are up to the same amount. 
The amendment also changes the permissible inference that a person is unlawfully 
furnishing marijuana by raising the amount from more than 1 114 ounces to more than 2 
1/2 ounces to be consistent with the new criminal offense of possession of more than 2 
ounces of marijuana. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 03112/09 Mac 
LD250 
LR 845(02) 
An Act To Streamline and Clarify Laws Pertaining to the Civil and Criminal Possession of Marijuana 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee'Amendment 'A" 
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety 
Fiscal Note Required : Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Minor savings - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
The collection of additional fines may increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
The Judicial Branch may experience minor savings in indigent defense costs. 
LR0845(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1