California Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill - Polidicks

[quote]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. Sacramento, CA United States [/quote] Source: [url]http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2010/oct/01/california_governor_signs_mariju[/url] Nice! About time too. Even though it goes in effect Jan. 1, I'm pretty happy right now. :350:

We have nowhere to go but up.

Shame to see Schwarzenegger isn't completely on its side though. Jabs at prop 19 :ohdear:

Why Arnold Schwarzenegger [B](R) [/B]? Why?

420 smoke weed erryday

Don't worry guys, the soccer moms will soon ruin everything.

i smell sesh pass the method

Its about time! personally i would rather it be decrimmed than legalized anyway...mainly because i never have more than a gram or 2 on me at any given time anyway :D

[QUOTE=Sparkwire;25174882]420 smoke weed erryday[/QUOTE] Stop saying stupid shit like this. Not everyone who smokes marijuana is a stoner.

I am now imagining Schwarzy smoking a huge joint.

[QUOTE=z0nk3d;25176136]I am now imagining Schwarzy smoking a huge joint.[/QUOTE] [img]http://stash.norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/arnold-pot.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Exille;25175933]Its about time! personally i would rather it be decrimmed than legalized anyway...mainly because i never have more than a gram or 2 on me at any given time anyway :D[/QUOTE] This is actually a horrible attitude and will lead to bad things. A Marijuana anti-prohibition law that leads to bad things? Can such a thing be? Yes, it can. This will further provide the black market dealers with funds as opposed to an open free market approach which will eliminate the criminal element. I wouldn't be surprised to see it repealed when scandals break about drug related crime going up, THAT is a bad situation. Total Legalization > Decriminalization Always. [editline]weed[/editline] However i am glad some people will be able to practice their habit (hopefully not for a short time) without prosecution.

I wish things were going that direction in Britain. Here they made it MORE illegal, and possession is now anything up to 5 years in prison.

[QUOTE=OatmealMan;25174879]Why Arnold Schwarzenegger [B](R) [/B]? Why?[/QUOTE] He's copyrighted to Cyberdyne Systems.

Hell Schwarzenegger's signing everything isn't he?

Pass rate declines 500%

Why can't there be any smart stoners where I live.. They're all morons who live 5 years in the past and think the worlds one big controversy.

Because when you're high you're effectively suspending some of your short term memory... if you're high all day every day, guess when your last vivid memories are from? Nothing harmful about stoners, but there is a price to pay for overindulgence. Pot smokers on the other hand... pretty much anyone who doesn't partake daily... often appear more normal than their peers in an effort to cover up their habits.

[QUOTE=Dantai;25176419]Why can't there be any smart stoners where I live.. They're all morons who live 5 years in the past and think the worlds one big controversy.[/QUOTE]If you are talking about police paranoia, they've got a damn good reason.

The opposition has been terminated.

[QUOTE=Veoto;25177139]Because when you're high you're effectively suspending some of your short term memory... if you're high all day every day, guess when your last vivid memories are from? Nothing harmful about stoners, but there is a price to pay for overindulgence. Pot smokers on the other hand... pretty much anyone who doesn't partake daily... often appear more normal than their peers in an effort to cover up their habits.[/QUOTE] Haha. Daily smoker here. I was going to tell you I can remember fine, but I forgot.

[QUOTE=Veoto;25177139]Because when you're high you're effectively suspending some of your short term memory... if you're high all day every day, guess when your last vivid memories are from? Nothing harmful about stoners, but there is a price to pay for overindulgence. Pot smokers on the other hand... pretty much anyone who doesn't partake daily... often appear more normal than their peers in an effort to cover up their habits.[/QUOTE] Well shit, I don't have any vivid memories. I guess the only thing for me is to get tokin'.

[QUOTE=Veoto;25177139]Because when you're high you're effectively suspending some of your short term memory... if you're high all day every day, guess when your last vivid memories are from? Nothing harmful about stoners, but there is a price to pay for overindulgence. Pot smokers on the other hand... pretty much anyone who doesn't partake daily... often appear more normal than their peers in an effort to cover up their habits.[/QUOTE] This man speaks the truth. I mean, there may not be a way to go about proving anything he said, but it makes a little bit of sense and I can't disprove it, so it has to be a fact.

[QUOTE=TailsPrower;25177303]If you are talking about police paranoia, they've got a damn good reason.[/QUOTE] The Police are after me "lucky charms".

[QUOTE=JDK721v5;25176057]Stop saying stupid shit like this. Not everyone who smokes marijuana is a stoner.[/QUOTE] yo chill, hit off this fat philly with me~

Too bad Illinois is too corrupt to decriminalize marijuana :saddowns:

So glad this passed, something that can be used to help reduce pain and suffering is a win all its own. But on top of this you can imagine the other medical applications, for things such as ADD/ADHD, perhaps even Bipolar disorder.

[QUOTE=Veoto;25177139]Because when you're high you're effectively suspending some of your short term memory... if you're high all day every day, guess when your last vivid memories are from? Nothing harmful about stoners, but there is a price to pay for overindulgence. Pot smokers on the other hand... pretty much anyone who doesn't partake daily... often appear more normal than their peers in an effort to cover up their habits.[/QUOTE] I too love speaking out of my ass, I just love the way my ass cheeks flap in the wind and hot air because really [b]when you talk out your ass, it's all just hot air[/b]. [editline]02:16PM[/editline] On topic though, I'm not glad this passed. Decriminalization is basically fucking useless. I'm still hoping for legalization and regulation soon.

First California, then the North, East and Midwest. Bible belt won't budge though.

I don't like Marijuana, it just seems to cause problems. It made one of my friends go insane.