Sacramento, CA: Lawmakers passed legislation this week reducing statewide marijuana possession penalties from a criminal misdemeanor to an infraction.
On Monday, members of the Assembly voted 43 to 33 in favor of Senate Bill 1449, which amends the California Health and Safety Code so that the adult possession of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana is classified as an infraction, punishable by no more than a $100 fine. The vote split largely along party lines, with Democrats voting 40 to 8 in favor of more lenient penalties and Republicans voting 2 to 23 against the bill.
Senate lawmakers had previously approved the measure by a vote of 21 to 13.
The bill now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for approval.
Under present law, minor marijuana possession for non-medical purposes is classified as a criminal misdemeanor. While the offense is not punishable by jail time, defendants charged under the law must appear in court, pay court costs, and attend a court-ordered diversion program. Offenders who refuse to attend the program may retain a criminal record for up to two years.
NORML Deputy Director praised the vote and urged Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the measure into law. “Passage of the bill would save the state millions of dollars in court costs by keeping minor marijuana offenders out of court. The number of misdemeanor pot arrests has surged in recent years, reaching 61,388 in 2008. Adults who consume marijuana responsibly are not part of the crime problem, and the state should stop treating them like criminals.”
For more information, please contact Dale Gieringer, California NORML Coordinator, at (415) 563-5858, or Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org. Additional information on S.B. 1449 is available online at NORML’s ‘Take Action’ Center at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=16364941.