Marijuana Possession Now an Infraction in California

Image by Just Say Now via Flickr

As of January 1st California as changed possession of less than an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction.

SB 1449, Leno. Marijuana: possession.

Existing law provides that, except as authorized by law, every person who possesses not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100. This same penalty is imposed for the crime of possessing not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana while driving on a highway or on lands, as specified.

Existing law provides with respect to these offenses that, under specified conditions, (1) the court shall divert and refer the defendant for education, treatment, or rehabilitation, as specified, and (2) an arrested person who gives satisfactory evidence of identity and a written promise to appear in court shall not be subjected to booking.

Amends existing law to provide that any person who commits any of the above offenses is instead guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $100. This bill would eliminate the above-described provisions relating to booking and to diversion and referral for education, treatment, or rehabilitation.

 Finally, a little common sense on marijuana possession. If only we can get marijuana completely decriminalized and treated like alcohol.

Another Fine Post from: No 2 Religion - Just Say No!

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L.A. Sheriff Prefers Scientology to Marijuana

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeWhile I would expect most police officers to say no to marijuana and other drugs I find it interesting that Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca is fighting California's Proposition 19 (California's Control and Tax Cannabis proposition) while touting Scientology's drug treatment programs. It sounds as though Sheriff Baca has gotten into the evidence locker again.

In a typical pot is bad, religion (Scientology) is good speech, Sheriff Baca, who is the co-chair of the No on 19 campaign, spouted off numerous claims. Among the claims made by Sheriff Baca, marijuana dispensaries are “hijacked by underground drug-dealing criminals” and that “it is no surprise that people are going to get killed … drugs and violence go together.” Sheriff Baca also claimed that as many as 97 percent of dispensaries operate as criminal enterprises, and that many buy their marijuana from Mexican drug cartels.

However, Los Angeles Police Chief, Charles Beck, has called bullshit on his claims. Beck said,  “I have tried to verify that because that, of course, is the mantra, it doesn’t really bear out.”

The DEA also said that they could not substantiate Baca’s allegations.

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