By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily
A state representative from Laramie recently crunched the numbers and determined Wyoming would save millions with a recently introduced marijuana legalization bill.
Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, asked during a presentation on House Bill 209 (which would legalize medical and recreational marijuana in the state) last week what the savings to the Wyoming Department of Corrections would be if the bill was approved.
“They reported back that approximately 335 people are incarcerated for drug offenses, 2,501 are under supervision, and the total cost is approximately $19,498,525,” Provenza tweeted.
However, DOC Director Daniel Shannon said the department was unable to identify those who were incarcerated or under supervision specifically for marijuana possession.
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Wyoming lawmakers to debate marijuana legalization
A marijuana legalization supporter at rally outside the Wyoming Capitol. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City File)
Supporters of a sweeping bill to legalize and regulate marijuana anticipate a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday, where they hope to dispel myths and stereotypes held by resistant lawmakers.
Twelve representatives and two senators co-sponsored House Bill 209 – Regulation of marijuana, which would license the cultivation and sale of marijuana and tax cannabis products, including “edibles” and infused drinks. Chief sponsor Rep. Jared Olsen (R-Cheyenne), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, brought the bill only months after a majority of state residents said they support allowing adults to use marijuana without penalty.
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Wyoming state senate committee has advanced to the full Senate a bill to repeal the state’s death penalty.
After taking testimony from witnesses including the state public defender’s office, family members of murder victims, a death-row exoneree, anti-death-penalty activists, religious organizations, and a national expert on capital punishment, the all-Republican Senate Revenue Committee voted 4-1 on March 4, 2021 to pass Senate File 150. The vote marked the second time in three years that a senate committee had approved a bill to abolish the death penalty. In 2019, a bill sponsored by
House Majority Whip Jared Olsen (R – Cheyenne), passed the house and was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 4-0 vote before being defeated in an 18-12 Senate vote.
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