California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger 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. Now that’s what’s up, we wonder if the law would be proactive?
Mainly because many young people are serving time for less than an ounce and it would seem far to release them.
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.
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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.’
Well said Mr. Governor, no sense in wasting the courts, tax payers and public’s time and money with small infractions.
