JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri House has advanced legislation overhauling the state's criminal code, but without a reduction in punishment for first-time marijuana crimes.
The measure approved on Tuesday needs one more vote before moving to the Senate, which gave first-round approval to a separate version of the bill on Monday.
Among the differences between the two bills is a disagreement over sentences for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
Under current law, offenders can get up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The House version would leave that penalty in place, while the Senate bill would take jail time off the table and instead levy a fine between $250 and $1,000.
Both measures also create new classes of felonies and misdemeanors.
Criminal Code is HB1371
Online:
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov