By KATU.com Staff ~
SALEM, Ore. -- Lawmakers are mulling over two bills that could erase marijuana arrests or reduce sentences for certain Oregonians ahead of recreational pot becoming legal in July.
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If you were cited with a marijuana-related crime that would have sent you to jail under newer laws, you're likely not going to get a break. However, if you were cited with possession of one ounce of pot or growing four plants in your home, your charges could be dropped because Measure 91 legalizes those acts.
Supporters of the bills say it will free-up law enforcement and cut down court and jail costs.
"We know the costs add up, regardless of what they may be, we know this will save resources, save time and allow people to move on with their lives, for something that 57 percent of Oregonians say should be legal as of July 1," New Approach Oregon Executive Director Anthony Johnson said.
Though no official numbers have been released on how many people could get their sentences reduced, the numbers are low. This is because many district attorneys' offices have either dropped pending cases or stopped pursuing new charges after Measure 91 passed.
"We don't know the numbers of people in jail currently, but one person is too many," said Johnson. "We do know that we arrest and cite more than ten thousand people every year for marijuana offenses."
Oregon State Police said that number is not far off, but it mostly represents citations, not arrests.
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