2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 16
BY SENATOR MILLS
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to establish a working group to study current law
relative to marijuana and to make recommendations to protect public safety, hold
marijuana offenders accountable, and control costs to the criminal justice system
arising out of the prosecution of marijuana offenses.
WHEREAS, members of the criminal justice community have found that the volume
of marijuana offenses being prosecuted are placing a burden on lower courts, forcing state
and local governments to spend tax dollars to prosecute and defend many lesser offenses,
thus creating a financial burden on these communities; and
WHEREAS, members of the criminal justice community have found that the increase
in arrests, convictions, and sentencing for marijuana offenses has placed a burden on local
jails and state prisons, and contributes significantly to Louisiana's costly incarceration rates;
and
WHEREAS, the current state and federal funding climate gives the legislature and
other officials cause to evaluate the need for reforms of the state's criminal justice system
to promote public safety more effectively and efficiently, hold offenders accountable, and
control spending; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the legislature and other officials to develop and
implement changes necessary to optimize public safety resources and make strategic
investments across our public safety system; and
WHEREAS, members of the criminal justice community have identified reform of
marijuana sentencing laws and related habitual offender laws as a means to reduce
incarceration rates and reduce costs to the criminal justice system without negatively
impacting public safety; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, numerous legislative instruments aimed at marijuana
sentencing reform have been introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate
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but have not reached consensus in committee or been enacted into law; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of current law regarding marijuana offenses should be
reviewed and thoroughly examined with the goal of building consensus among stakeholders
and consolidating efforts toward legislative reform; and
WHEREAS, a concerted effort should be made to establish laws that yield a more
effective criminal justice system, while holding public safety paramount and considering the
issues that impact diverse stakeholders in the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has the power to authorize and direct the Louisiana State
Law Institute to study and make recommendations for the revision of laws regarding
marijuana offenses, in particular sentencing for marijuana offenses, habitual offender laws,
and related statutes; and
WHEREAS, on June 5, 2014, the Louisiana State Bar Association's House of
Delegates adopted a resolution in support of legislation reducing sentences for simple
possession of marijuana; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2015, the Louisiana State Bar Association's House of
Delegates adopted a resolution in support of the study of marijuana laws and related habitual
offender laws, and recommendations for reform.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
authorize and direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to establish a working group to study
and make recommendations for the revision of marijuana laws and related habitual offender
laws in an effort to identify reforms that will ensure the most effective and efficient
administration of justice in the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby directs the
Louisiana State Law Institute to work in conjunction with the Louisiana District Attorneys
Association, the Louisiana Public Defender Board, the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, the
Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration
of Criminal Justice, the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, and any other agencies or
associations deemed appropriate by the working group regarding this study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Law Institute shall report
its findings and recommendations to the legislature on or before March 1, 2016.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution is to be transmitted to
the director of the Louisiana State Law Institute.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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