Pa. lieutenant govenor candidate's bill would lessen pot penalties

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A state lawmaker who’s running for lieutenant governor is introducing bills to lessen penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Sen. Mike Stack, a Philadelphia Democrat, said at a news conference today that one bill would make possession of less than an ounce of pot a summary offense for the first two incidents. After that, local prosecutors would have discretion to file criminal charges.

Stack, one of six candidates vying to be the running mate of the Democratic nominee for governor, also is introducing a bill to make it easier for people to have their records expunged of convictions for possession of small amounts of the drug.

Reforming Pennsylvania’s marijuana laws has been an issue in the five-way Democratic gubernatorial race. The primary election is May 20.