Minnesota legislators and criminal justice leaders have struck a deal on what could be the most significant reforms to the state’s drug laws in decades.
The proposal came after months of closed-door discussions between legislative leaders and various interest groups, such as law enforcement, prosecutors and defense attorneys. If passed, it would dramatically lower penalties for some high-level drug offenses and provide more room in the law to discern between “kingpin” drug dealers and severe addicts.
“It treats the addicts as addicts,” said Sen Ron. Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, “And it treats the drug sellers who are doing this to make money as criminals.”
Highlights from the deal include:
• Reducing the recommended prison sentence for first-degree sale and possession of heroin, cocaine and meth from seven years to five-plus years.
• For meth and cocaine, raising the minimum weight to qualify for high-level charges. For example, first-degree sale of these drugs would now be defined as 17 grams — up from the current 10 grams – unless the offender had “aggravating factors,” such as possession of a firearm.
• Dropping the sentence for second-degree drug sale from four years in prison to four years on probation for heroin, cocaine and meth.
• Stiffening marijuana laws. Right now, a first-degree charge is defined as selling 50 kilograms or possessing 100 kilograms. Those would both be cut in half. Second-degree charges would similarly change.
Latz said he will likely introduce the new bill language next week.