Some lawmakers in Florida are looking to decriminalize pot possession. 

In Florida, the penalties are among America's toughest. With marijuana use now legal in some form in 23 other states, some Democratic lawmakers say it's time to get rid of our pot penalties.

Under a new measure, they'd disappear. Representative Alan Williams said it would be an overdue reflection of changing times.

“There's a disconnect between being caught with marijuana, being caught with crack and even cocaine and other drugs, and so we either have to treat all of them the same or we have to say 'you know what, as we start to progress as a state, as a society, where's that intersection point'?” said Williams.

The Capitol's majority Republicans are now filing bills to legalize medical marijuana - a development that looked all but impossible just a few years ago.

But legalization hasn't happened yet - and public safety advocates hope it never does. They say the penalties are tough for a reason.

“I see the deputy that has to take the gun from the guy who is passed out as a result of having marijuana or other drugs in his or her possession. That's who I worry about,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Supporters of the marijuana decriminalization effort say it could save taxpayers untold millions of dollars because the state would no longer have to lock people up for using or selling pot.