Under current Utah law, possession of about an ounce can carry up to six months in jail, according to the Marijuana Policy Project quoted by Filter in January 2026. HB 253, sponsored by Rep. Grant Amjad Miller (D), would make first-time possession of up to 14 grams a civil infraction with a fine up to $750 and no jail.
Later possession cases would stay misdemeanors under the bill, which would have taken effect May 6 if enacted. The article says Utah is among 19 states where a joint can still lead to jail. A Better Utah bill tracker lists HB 253 as failed with final action on March 6, 2026, but the page's status labels contradict each other.
Why it matters: Utah still allows jail time for small amounts, and the bill that would have ended it for first offenses appears not to have passed.
Source: Filter, 2026-01-28. Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting.