CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill to reduce the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana has died in the Wyoming House of Representatives.

The House voted Wednesday to 38-to-22 against a bill sponsored by Cheyenne Democratic Rep. James Byrd.

The bill would have specified civil fines rather than jail time upon conviction of possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.

Byrd emphasized on the House floor that more marijuana is coming into Wyoming now that the drug has been legalized in Colorado and is legal for medical purposes in other neighboring states.

Opponents included Rep. Elaine Harvey, a Lovell Republican who serves as chairman of the House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee.

Harvey said marijuana always has been regarded as a gateway drug that can lead people to harder drugs.

More From 107.9 Jack FM