off-topic? Thought this was an interesting story worth some attention. I'm not a big fan of half-way decrim measures because there is still the looming issue of production.

Quote:

The new bill changes marijuana possession of less than an ounce to an infraction.

(SACRAMENTO) - From California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, on September 30, 2010.

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am signing Senate Bill 1449.

This bill changes the crime of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor punishable only by a $100 fine to an infraction punishable by a $100 fine. Under existing law, jail time cannot be imposed, probation cannot be ordered, nor can the base fine exceed $100 for someone convicted of this crime.

I am opposed to decriminalizing the possession and recreational use of marijuana and oppose Proposition 19, which is on the November ballot.

Unfortunately, Proposition 19 is a deeply flawed measure that, if passed, will adversely impact California’s businesses without bringing in the tax revenues to the state promised by its proponents.

Notwithstanding my opposition to Proposition 19, however, I am signing this measure because possession of 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.

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.

As noted by the Judicial Council in its support of this measure, the appointment of counsel and the availability of a jury trial should be reserved for defendants who are facing loss of life, liberty, or property greater than $100.

For these reasons, I am signing this bill.

Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/octob....

A step in the right direction for the Govenator! Good job Gov.!

He must be getting pressure from the Northern counties. If prop 19 passes it will destroy whats left of their economies.
Kind of ironic how the pot growers are lobbying against legalization.

Quote:

Kind of ironic how the pot growers are lobbying against legalization.

Same reason some of the drug cartels are in favor of sealing the border between the US and Mexico...they'll always have a way to get it here, and it keeps the price of 'goods' higher than when the market is easy to access.

...as it stands there's no jail time, no courts...just a $100.00 fine.

Seems like they might really start bustin balls with the dopers...that could prove to be one helluva revenue stream for CA.

Good job CA. +1000

I hope 19 passes.

Let's see...
You still have to pay the same fine, but now you don't get a jury trial.
I don't see this as a win.
They should just flat-out legalize it, that would be the right approach.
This is nothing but an erosion of your rights and liberties in the interest of saving the State the expense should you demand your right (to a jury trial).

Just my humble opinion though...

The dopers will love this!

But in 6 months, they'll probably raise the 'fine' to $1000.

Does nothing to the cartels, just makes their user base less fearful.

Either legalize or no, anything else is just pandering to the drug lords.

yep.. even in the mecca of marijuana the Netherlands, police still make occasional raids on grow-houses so not all is peachy in the land of cannabis freedom. In some ways modern decrim might even be worse than it being explicity illegal because there is so much confusion about what is and what is not legal.