The proposed bill H. 3110 aims to amend South Carolina's laws regarding controlled substance offenses, specifically focusing on the decriminalization of marijuana possession. It seeks to allow individuals to possess up to twenty-eight grams (one ounce) of marijuana or ten grams of hashish without facing criminal charges, instead permitting law enforcement to issue civil citations for such possession. Additionally, the bill proposes to reduce penalties for first-time possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base, mandating that offenders complete a drug treatment or rehabilitation program as part of their sentence. The bill also requires that individuals convicted of certain first offense possession charges be placed on probation.

Key amendments include the modification of penalties for marijuana possession, where individuals caught with the specified amounts would face a misdemeanor charge with a maximum thirty-day imprisonment or a fine between one hundred and two hundred dollars. For first-time offenders of methamphetamine or cocaine base possession, the maximum imprisonment is reduced from three years to one year, and the fine is adjusted accordingly. The bill also emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation over incarceration, allowing for conditional discharges and the possibility of entering treatment programs without a formal conviction. Overall, the legislation aims to alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system and redirect resources towards addressing violent crime.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 44-53-370
Latest Version: 44-53-370
12/06/2024: 44-53-370