(1 Oct 2010) HEADLINE: Pot possession in Calif now like speeding ticket
CAPTION: Possessing up to an ounce of marijuana in California is now no more serious than getting a speeding ticket. This after a bill the governor signed into law this week. (Oct. 1)
IN CALIFORNIA IF POLICE OFFICER NABS YOU WITH AN OUNCE OF POT OR LESS...IT'S NOW NO MORE SERIOUS AN OFFENSE THAN GETTING A SPEEDING TICKET.
GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SIGNED A BILL LATE THURSDAY THAT REDUCES POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA FROM A MISDEMEANOR TO AN INFRACTION...THE MAXIMUM FINE--100 BUCKS.
"you will get a ticket. like a traffic ticket. you can respond to that, but you won't be entitled to a jury trial."
BRUCE MARGOLIN, A LOS ANGELES DEFENSE ATTORNEY WHO SPECIALIZES IN MARIJUANA CASES, APPLAUDS THE MOVE--
"you go to the courthouse and see the number of marijuana related cases on the docket you'd be appalled at the expense and waste of time. not only with the time involved to prosecute cases...but also the prosecution of serious crimes. 50 percent of our calendars these are caught up in marijuana cases and it's gotta stop."
THE GOVERNOR OPPOSES A PROPOSITION ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT WHICH WOULD DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA altogether... BUT SAID THE BILL HE SIGNED WOULD HELP SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
CALIFORNIA'S MAJOR POLICE ASSOCIATIONS ALL OPPOSED THE LAW, BUT THE ASSOCIATION OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS SUPPORTED IT.
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