Sen. Perry believes marijuana discussion will not gain traction

Louisiana Sen. Jonathan Perry spoke recently to the Abbeville Kiwanis Club about the upcoming Legislative general session which begins on March 10.
Perry discussed several issues that could be brought up during the session, which will run for 85 days. One question brought to Perry was whether the state will legalize marijuana.
“Is there a chance?” Perry questioned before offering his personal opinion. “I don’t think there is a chance.”
Perry has taken part in eight sessions during both his time as a representative and senator. No issue regarding marijuana has come up during that time.
“I have never seen a bill filed addressing it,” Perry said. “I think someone said there are maybe 12 bills filed this session for either legalization or medicinal purposes.”
Perry explained that those bills merely represent a first step for those in favor of any type of legalization.
“I think it is like anything else along these lines,” Perry said, “it will start getting introduced. Maybe down the road someone is going to take it and put it through with something everyone likes. Maybe things will change. Let’s say there are 10 or 12 bills this year, I think one will get heard. I think that one will get shot down and something will come back next year.
“I just don’t think it is going to happen right now.”
State Rep. Dalton Honore, D-Baton Rouge, has already filed legislation in reference to marijuana. Honore filed on Feb. 7 legislation that would remove marijuana, any chemical derived from THC, the “principal psychoactive constituent” in marijuana, or synthetic marijuana from Louisiana’s habitual offender laws.
As it stands, Louisiana’s penalties for marijuana possession are some of the toughest in the U.S. The state classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug and it falls under habitual offender laws. Those found guilty of possession, and depending on how many times the offense has been repeated, face the possibility of stiff penalties. Offenders found in possession of 60 pounds or less of marijuana face up to six months on a first offense, up to five years and up to a $2,500 fine for a second offense and three or more offenses leading to the possibility of 20 years up to a $5,000 fine.
While the topic has not seen much talk in Louisiana, the marijuana discussion is not new to the country. Two western states, Colorado and Washington, have recently legalized marijuana, for both recreational and medical purposes. Perry said his feeling is that it will not pick up enough steam here.
“I could be wrong,” Perry said, “but I just don’t think the climate in Louisiana is up for that right now.”