California Gov. Arnold Schwartzenneger Has Just Signed Marijuana Decri

[Paladin]

Firstly, at the time I am posting this the news has appeared at the below link but is yet to hit the main wires, so wait for confirmation of details:

 

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2010/oct/01/california_governor_signs_mariju

 

 

California Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

 

Post to: Twitter Facebook Digg StumbleUpon Reddit

by Phillip Smith, October 01, 2010, 03:25am

Posted in: Budgets/Taxes/Economics Decriminalization Marijuana -- Personal Use News Brief State & Local Executive Branches State & Local Legislatures

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ® 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

 

 

 

On the face of it, that looks like a win. Hell, it is a win.

 

From the larger picture, though, what will this mean for Prop 19? Arnie also took a good swipe at prop 19 in the same announcement, apparently. Will this be enough to sway on-the-fence voters who think people getting arrested for posession of a small amount of cannabis is stupid, but who are still vulnerable to (as someone else has put it) campaign advertising that we will shortly see targeting the language of prop 19.

 

Interesting stuff. Overall, I'm chuffed, though! And blazing a big one out to the toker in the sky.

[headstone]

If its legit thats great news

 

There's also a lesson to be learnt here. If arrested for mere possession its your duty to plead not guilty and to be tried by a jury of your peers. You'll ofcourse be found guilty, but that was going to happen anyway so you might as well waste time, money and resources to help the economic crises deepen to the point that politicians are forced to take steps that will eventually lead to the end of the war on drugs. They might only take dolly steps and then bitch about it, but its still a step in the right direction

 

Not that it will ever happen, but could you imagine if every pot smoker in Australia walked into their local cop shop, dropped a gram on the desk, asked to be arrested for possession and then forced the courts to allow them to be tried by a jury? There's well over a million pot smokers in Australia so if everyone did it the courts would be filled for years and if we all did it a few times the courts would be booked out for the next decade or 2. Faced with pot heads obviously wasting time and resources like that to the point it runs the economy into the ground I imagine it wouldn't be too long before our dickhead politicians chuck an arnie to keep us out of court

[konflikt]

yeah but no matter what state laws they enforce... Federal Law always outweighs state law so it can be perfectly legal to grow your buds by state law but it they really want to fuck with u they just bring in the Feds and state law goes out the window....

[Rose Gardener]

It certainly does sound like positive news....

 

Let's hope it isn't a smoke screen to cover some other plans the government has for screwing the people!

[Paladin]

I can now confirm that this news is completely legit.

 

It is good news indeed.

 

That said, given the tone of the governator's speech, I am inclined to see this as a mitigating measure to weaken support for prop 19. The majority publicly support it now, and it is the main game. It really needs to pass as it will be a serious shot against prohibition. But we all know that

 

anyway, myth: confirmed.

[The Hash Nibbler]

Any man who does movies called Conan in the 70's has had to have had a J or two in his time. . I reakon Arnie is on the level and a little sick of the Feds coming into his state pushing people around, might just be he can't express his opinion on 19 because he has to tow the party line. So he makes it easier for smokers under state law and slags off the legislation of 19 to cover it.

i think maybe he could be a friend of the Cali smokers, Imo. maybe.......... Gh72

[MongyMan]

There's also a lesson to be learnt here. If arrested for mere possession its your duty to plead not guilty and to be tried by a jury of your peers. You'll ofcourse be found guilty, but that was going to happen anyway so you might as well waste time, money and resources to help the economic crises deepen to the point that politicians are forced to take steps that will eventually lead to the end of the war on drugs.

 

You can ask for a jury trial in Oz but the judge doesn't have to grant it........... but yes there is a lesson to be learned here.....If you get busted for using, possessing or cultivating cannabis there is ways to fight it. you won't as you said "of course be found guilty, but that was going to happen anyway" there is Defence of Medical necessity for eg.

 

Don't fall for the trap that there is no way to fight cannabis charges in Oz....It's not true.

 

If every person who is charged stood up and fought for the legal rights they already have the drug war is over on cannabis. When legal aid or any other "legal eagle" tells you just plead guilty ask them did they get their degree from a cerial packet. They are doing you a grave injustice with their incompetence.

 

Peace MM

[MongyMan]

yeah but no matter what state laws they enforce... Federal Law always outweighs state law so it can be perfectly legal to grow your buds by state law but it they really want to fuck with u they just bring in the Feds and state law goes out the window....

 

 

Oz law is very different to USA law. That might be a problem over there but it isn't in Oz. In oz we have the opposite situation, it's commonwealth law allows legal cannabis more than state laws here here. You can be charged under state laws here that commonwealth laws negate.

 

 

Peace MM

[Darkmaverick]

Amazing! I am happy to see that something is actually happening out there concerning this whole problem... how do you cure years of brainwashing and lies that were made truth to the general public? Good on ya Arnie!

[Kiweed]

This is really good news and a step in the right direction.

 

Real change will come when the government goes even more broke.

 

Rest assured if the government had loads of money then this would not be happening.