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HB 518

Marijuana; civil penalty for simple possession of 30 grams or less.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Omeria Scott

Mississippi bill would replace criminal penalties with civil fines for possessing 30g or less of marijuana; died in committee without advancing.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 518

Legislative bill overview

HB 518 would have decriminalized simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana in Mississippi by replacing criminal penalties with civil fines. The bill did not advance beyond committee and died in the legislative process as of February 4, 2025.

Why is this important

Decriminalization affects criminal justice outcomes, as it reduces arrests and convictions for low-level offenses, potentially saving law enforcement resources and reducing collateral consequences for individuals (employment, housing, education barriers). Mississippi currently maintains stricter marijuana penalties than many neighboring states, making this a consequential policy question for the state's criminal justice approach.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety concerns: Opponents may argue that civil penalties rather than criminal penalties are insufficiently deterrent or signal leniency on drug policy
  • Federal conflict: Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, creating tension between state decriminalization and federal law enforcement priorities
  • Implementation questions: Determining appropriate civil penalty amounts, enforcement mechanisms, and whether this creates disparities if some jurisdictions enforce more aggressively than others
  • Gateway drug argument: Some may contend decriminalization normalizes marijuana use or increases access

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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