The California State Assembly’s Public Safety Committee approved a bill this week to reimpose the state’s expired “Smoke a Joint, Lose Your License” law.
Assembly Bill 2295, sponsored by Dean Florez (D-Fresno) and strongly supported by Governor Gray Davis (D), would impose an automatic six month drivers’ license suspension for all drug offenses, regardless of whether the drug offense is driving related.
Under federal law, the state stands to lose $100 million in highway funds unless the legislature either passes the bill, or the governor agrees to sign an “opt-out” statement. Thirty-two other states have adopted the “opt out” statement. A California poll by David Binder found that voters oppose the legislation by a 2-1 margin.
The American Civil Liberties Union, the California AFL-CIO, the Teamsters, the California School Employees Association and the Service Employees International Union all oppose the bill.
“Assembly Bill 2295 is an outrage to common sense,” said California NORML State Coordinator Dale Gieringer. “It makes it a worse driving offense to possess a joint in your pocket or purse at home than to be caught speeding, driving recklessly, or with open liquor containers in the car.”
For more information, please contact Dale Gieringer, California NORML State Coordinator at (415) 563-5858. To view the legislation, visit: www.leginfo.ca.gov.
