Good news for all you pot-heads, and you might want to start packing your cars to head down to the sun for the winter! Turns out Governor Arnold has just signed a bill downgrading possession of AN OUNCE OR LESS of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction.
Arnie says he still opposes Proposition 19, which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana, but he feels like this will unclog the court system from small, marijuana related crimes. In his own words: “Not withstanding my opposition to Proposition 19, I am signing this measure because possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name.”
Arnie’s actions got mixed results. Randy Thomasson, president of saveCalifornia.com, strongly opposed it: “This virtual legalization of marijuana definitely sends the wrong message to teenagers and young adults…there’s not much hassle and no public stigma and no rehab if they’re caught.”
Dale Gieringer, director of California NORML, praised it: “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 will go into effect on Jan 1st, 2011.
Hat tip to Blogtownie Graham for the heads-up on this.
Been true in Oregon for decades. Less than one ounce is a “violation,” not a crime. (An ounce or more is a class B felony.)
ORS 475.864 (3): “…unlawful possession of marijuana is a violation if the amount possessed is less than one avoirdupois ounce of the dried leaves, stems and flowers of the plant Cannabis family Moraceae. A violation under this subsection is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000. Fines collected under this subsection shall be forwarded to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Criminal Fine and Assessment Account established under ORS 137.300.”
Yeah, you can see why all the hippies went to Oregon from California. They can get stoned all the time and live on the welfare state while pooping in the woods and avoiding bathing! Woohoo!