California Decriminalizes Pot

Switch · 10-01-2010, 10:03 AM

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/...r_signs_mariju

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Thursday 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, SB 1449, by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), 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.

"I am signing this measure because possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name," said Schwarzenegger. "The only difference is that because it is a misdemeanor, a criminal defendant is entitled to a jury trial and a defense attorney. In this time of drastic budget cuts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources prosecuting a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket."

"Gov. Schwarzenegger deserves credit for sparing the state's taxpayers the cost of prosecuting minor pot offenders," said California NORML director Dale Gieringer. "Californians increasingly recognize that the war on marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources."

The law goes into effect January 1. Even if Prop 19 passes in November, it leaves in place misdemeanor charges for smoking in public or in the presence of minors. Those misdemeanors would become infractions under the new law.

Particle Man · 10-01-2010, 10:32 AM

... and in other news, shares of Frito Lay are up 200%...

z06boy · 10-01-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

... and in other news, shares of Frito Lay are up 200%...

Dnyce · 10-01-2010, 01:02 PM

gives us pot, but takes away our pipes.

Homeslice · 10-01-2010, 01:12 PM

Even if there is no "arrest record", the gov't can still find out about it if you try and join the military or FBI or something like that. Same with traffic tickets.

And I'm pretty sure Arnold "partook" in his earlier years.

Particle Man · 10-01-2010, 01:13 PM

and "He'll be back"

Dave · 10-01-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnyce

gives us pot, but takes away our pipes.

Gonna see gsxrs with slip on bongs come 2013

derf · 10-01-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnyce

gives us pot, but takes away our pipes.

got paper?

Kaneman · 10-01-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Even if there is no "arrest record", the gov't can still find out about it if you try and join the military or FBI or something like that. Same with traffic tickets.

And I'm pretty sure Arnold "partook" in his earlier years.

He does it on video in "Pumping Iron" and even talks about it a bit.

This is good news for the country, one step closer...

BTW, you would think this would be a newsworthy story....but I haven't seen it run on any major news outlet. Nobody has a word about it...

101lifts2 · 10-01-2010, 08:28 PM

Now my neighbors can go outside to smoke....

10-01-2010, 10:03 AM	#1
Switch dadbod Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 1,215	California Decriminalizes Pot http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/...r_signs_mariju California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Thursday 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, SB 1449, by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), 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. "I am signing this measure because possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name," said Schwarzenegger. "The only difference is that because it is a misdemeanor, a criminal defendant is entitled to a jury trial and a defense attorney. In this time of drastic budget cuts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources prosecuting a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket." "Gov. Schwarzenegger deserves credit for sparing the state's taxpayers the cost of prosecuting minor pot offenders," said California NORML director Dale Gieringer. "Californians increasingly recognize that the war on marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources." The law goes into effect January 1. Even if Prop 19 passes in November, it leaves in place misdemeanor charges for smoking in public or in the presence of minors. Those misdemeanors would become infractions under the new law. __________________ It's fine.

10-01-2010, 10:32 AM	#2
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	... and in other news, shares of Frito Lay are up 200%... __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

10-01-2010, 01:02 PM	#4
Dnyce flyin high Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: cali Moto: 10speed huffy w/cards in the spokes Posts: 2,318	gives us pot, but takes away our pipes. __________________ "Racing Is Life, Everything Before and After is Just Waiting" Steve McQueen

10-01-2010, 01:13 PM	#6
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	and "He'll be back" __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

10-01-2010, 08:28 PM	#10
101lifts2 WSB Champion Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Moto: 2009 Kawi ZX6R Posts: 5,570	Now my neighbors can go outside to smoke.... __________________ Train Hard Ron Paul - 2012 Mark of Excellence GM

10-01-2010, 01:12 PM	#5
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	Even if there is no "arrest record", the gov't can still find out about it if you try and join the military or FBI or something like that. Same with traffic tickets. And I'm pretty sure Arnold "partook" in his earlier years.