California Legislature Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

[jinx]

This looks big !!!!!

 

Will Arnie SIGN ??????

 

By Phillip Smith, Drug War Chronicle - Wednesday, September 1 2010

Tags:

 

* Headline News

* Arnold Schwarzenegger

* california

* decriminalization

* Mark Leno

* USA

 

 

 

Just hours before the state's legislative session ended Tuesday, the California Assembly voted to approve SB 1449, Sen. Mark Leno's bill to fully decriminalize simple marijuana possession. The bill passed the Senate in June and now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.

 

The vote was 43-33 and largely along party lines. Democrats supported the bill 40-8, while Republicans opposed it 23-2.

 

Under current California law, possession of less than an ounce of pot is punishable by no more than a $100 fine, but is still a misdemeanor. That means people busted for a joint or a half-bag must be arrested, booked, and appear in court, and they get a criminal record. It also means meaningless work for the police and the courts.

 

Marijuana possession is the only California misdemeanor with a set maximum fine and no possible jail time. The Leno bill changes the offense to an infraction, meaning no arrest, no booking, no court appearance, and no criminal record.

 

"The penalty for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is a fine of $100, with no jail time," Leno said on introducing the bill. "If the penalty is $100, with no jail time, that is an infraction. That is not a misdemeanor."

 

Keeping simple possession a misdemeanor has had "serious unintended consequences," the San Francisco Democrat said. "As the number of misdemeanor marijuana possession arrests have surged in recent years, reaching 61,388 in 2008, the burden placed on the courts by these low level offenses are just too much to bear at a time when resources are shrinking and caseloads are growing."

 

- Article from Stop the Drug War.

Related

[jinx]

This is BIG news !!!! If Arnold signs it into law, Calif will become THE vacation destination for the entire nation !!!

Check it out !!!!

[bobandtorey]

this is great news soon to be the U.S.A

lets hope any ways

[+Silverblue]

Wow!

 

Sb

[outsideinthecold]

I haven't found any details about this legislation except those posted on California Senator Mark Leno's website.

 

Here is a link to pending legislation he is sponsoring. Scroll down to SB 1449 and there is a link reporting the vote and past history of the bill as it moved through the California Senate.

 

http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={FF7AAA6F-5F2F-4B1E-9167-B3625BD34392}

 

I think this could be something worth following and would appreciate any links to news stories reporting more information.

 

Thanks.

[Buck Naykid]

This is very promising pls keep us updated!

[outsideinthecold]

SB 1449 has passed the assembly and is on Governor Arnie's desk.

 

This bill will reduce the penalty for possession of less than one ounce of cannabis from misdemeanor to an infraction (simple ticket, no jail, no judge, $100-fine).

 

This could be a complete game changer if passed.

 

To write to the Governor directly follow this link.

 

I suggest using the heading SB-1449 and endorse signing this law.

 

Link to Governor's e-mail: http://gov.ca.gov/interact

[greenbuddha]

God, if only the politicians and people here in Michigan were as enlightened as those in Cal seem to be, these Michigan winters would be a lot easier to put up with.

 

And heck fire, it MIGHT even do the economy some good.

 

AHHH! Please pass the 'pain relief' will ya?

[jinx]

God, if only the politicians and people here in Michigan were as enlightened as those in Cal seem to be, these Michigan winters would be a lot easier to put up with.

 

And heck fire, it MIGHT even do the economy some good.

 

AHHH! Please pass the 'pain relief' will ya?

 

Hi Greenbudda !!

 

If MMJ possession in the State of Michgigan were an infraction, a ticket without having to go to court and Nothing on your record, the economy of this state would EXPLODE !!!!! We would become the Tourist Destination of the country and service job opportunities would explode !!!!

 

dr. Jinx