Under the proposed legislation, possession of up to two ounces of marijuana in Georgia would be punishable as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Under the proposed legislation, possession of up to two ounces of marijuana in Georgia would be punishable as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. / Flickr/CC

A Senate panel has approved legislation that would reduce the punishment for possessing small amounts of marijuana.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Monday to advance the bill sponsored by Sen. Harold Jones II, a Democrat from Augusta.

Under the legislation, possession of up to two ounces of marijuana would be punishable as a misdemeanor rather than a felony as is currently the case. The bill goes next to the Senate Rules Committee.

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