California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Friday morning that decriminalizes possession of marijuana in the state.
Those caught with less than an ounce of marijuana will still receive a maximum penalty of $100. However, Senate Bill 1449 reduces the legal categorization of marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction. This means that those caught will not have to appear in court, pay court fees or receive a criminal record.
Schwarzenegger opposes Proposition 19, a pending referendum that will provide a legal framework for the sale, cultivation and taxation of marijuana. However, despite this opposition, Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law. In a letter to the California Senate, Schwarzenegger stated that "less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name. The only difference is that because it is a misdemeanor, a criminal defendant is entitled to a jury trial and a defense attorney." He further stated that "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."
California director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Dale Gieringer lauded the governor's decision:
“Gov. Schwarzenegger deserves credit for sparing the state’s taxpayers the cost of prosecuting minor pot offenders, Californians increasingly recognize that the war on marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources.”
The new law is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2011.
Comments
It's a start but this still means Californians won't be able to grow their own and have to still buy Mexican brick weed.
Shows what you know! No one in Cali buys "Mexican Brick weed". There's plenty of cultivation happening in the state despite the law.
read this if you support marijuana law reform!
http://votetaxcannabis2010.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-pro-pot-activists-op...
how about ending prohibition entirely? this was a political move to hinder Prop 19, to confuse the voters potentially. i dont support 19 either seeing as it's changes a freely growing plant into a government controlled commodity, by way of taxation. STOP PROHIBITION, LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS. It's like ignoring the cancer instead of trying to cure it, prohibition changes suppliers, not the demand for drugs
Good move. Now the argument that Prop 19 will save the state money is debunked. SB 1449 did it for Prop 19. Vote no on Prop 19.
This may all be moot come November. If prop 19 passes, then this bill is worthless, no?
its a step in the right direction. Now if it passes and gets taxed there will be a lot more money to spend on ca much needed school system
None of the money from taxation under Prop 19 goes to schools. It's all taxed at the city level, which does not pay into schools (that's county and state). So voting for Prop 19 to "fund the schools" is a lark. Read the bill. It creates a police state in the name of "legalization." Note the absence of words like "knowingly" and the lack of exemptions for medical patients. Growing is only allowed at 5x5 (25sqft) per DOMICILE, not person.
Stop listening to the Yes on 19 and NORML lies. Prop 19 is BUNK! Read the only part of the bill that matters: the part that codifies new law, not the feel-good crap at the beginning.
Actually, Prop 19 does address medical marijuana. Here's an article that covers the subject:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-borden/prop-19-would-help-not-hu_b_7...
From the article:
"Sections 2B (7 & 8) specifically state that the purpose of this initiative is to give municipalities total and complete control over the commercial sales of marijuana 'EXCEPT as permitted under Health and Safety Sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 through 11362.9.'"
Health and Safety Sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 through 11362.9 = medical marijuana. Look it up.
The only people who oppose Prop 19 are either undereducated on the subject, or have something to lose if it passes.
Vote YES on Prop 19!!!!
I don't really care if money goes to schools or not. Vote yes on Prop 19 so that people will stop being persecuted for using a harmless substance.
how about ending prohibition entirely? this was a political move to hinder Prop 19, to confuse the voters potentially. i dont support 19 either seeing as it's changes a freely growing plant into a government controlled commodity, by way of taxation. STOP PROHIBITION, LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS. It's like ignoring the cancer instead of trying to cure it, prohibition changes suppliers, not the demand for drugs
Prop 19 is a wolf in sheeps clothing, as a medic I will support the 2012 intiative that was backed by the late Jack Herer =)
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