California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Thursday [9/30] signed into law a bill that decriminalizes the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. The bill reduces simple possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction.
Currently, small-time pot possession is "semi-decriminalized" in California. There is no possible jail sentence and a maximum $100 fine. But because possession is a misdemeanor, people caught with pot are "arrested," even if that means only they are served a notice to appear, and they must appear before a court.
That has happened to more than a half million Californians in the last decade, and more than 60,000 last year alone. Every one of them required a court appearance, complete with judge and prosecutor. That costs the cash-strapped state money it desperately needs.
Under the bill signed today... pot possession will be treated like a traffic ticket. The fine will remain at $100, and there will be no arrest record.
In a signing statement, Schwarzenegger said he opposed decriminalization for personal use—and threw in a gratuitous jab at Proposition 19, the tax and regulate marijuana legalization initiative—but that the state couldn't afford the status quo...
The law goes into effect January 1.
Addedum: His signing statement.
It's sad that there are so many advocates of a drug that is really a complete waste of time.
ReplyDeleteI've seen many close friends really waste a lot of talent because they had this desire to get stoned instead of doing something more productive. We went through this back in the 70's, and early 80's.
When I was younger and more naive, I too believed that Pot was a harmless drug. I bought the whole scenario that Hollywood portrayed.
The societal pendulum had swung pretty far in favor of Marijuana, and then it started swinging the other way. A lot of people realized that if you want to get something done, it's not a good idea to be under the influence of pot.
If legalizing pot results in fewer people using the drug, I'm all in favor, but if legalizing it producers more Stoners (which I think that it will), then I cannot support it.
I suppose I am being cynical but I can't help but wonder if Arnie isn't using this to kill momentum for Prop 19.
ReplyDeleteLegalizing it gets us a cheap durable fabric and a thousand other uses too.
The biggest problems with Prop 19 are that there is no guidance for actually handling people "under the influence" and it goes against current federal law.
ReplyDeleteIf you've been smoking pot, I don't want you driving on the public roads, but if you do and are pulled over, there's no standard for a police officer to gauge your sobriety. So it's his or her call, which opens such a huge can of worms. At least today, being under the influence means having smoked at all.
As for the federal law part, only the idea that Obama has bigger fish to fry would keep any "decriminalization" of marijuana going in California. But it's passage WILL certainly cost the taxpayers of the nation more money on the required challenges in court.
But then, that's what you get when you've got a half-baked idea. Sorry, I couldn't help the pun.