DECRIMINALIZATION (CT)-Panel Votes To Decriminalize Less Than Half-Ounce Of Marijuana

[kpete]

Source: Hartford Courant

DECRIMINALIZATION
Panel Votes To Decriminalize Less Than Half-Ounce Of Marijuana

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING | The Hartford Courant
April 1, 2009

On a groundbreaking vote, the legislature's judiciary committee decided Tuesday night to decriminalize marijuana possession for adults 18 and older who have less than half an ounce of the drug.

Under a compromise, the marijuana laws would not change for anyone under 18, and the amount that would be decriminalized was reduced from less than 1 ounce to less than half an ounce. The possession of small amounts would no longer be a crime and would instead be an infraction with a maximum fine of $250 that could be paid like a speeding ticket.

Some Democratic legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney of New Haven, have been pushing hard this year for decriminalization, saying that doing so could save the state more than $11 million in law enforcement costs annually because far fewer people would be sent to state Superior Court to be overseen by prosecutors and probation officials. If marijuana users were issued a ticket that could be paid by mail, they would no longer need to go to court.

The bill passed 24-14 in the Democratic-dominated committee, and the highest-ranking Republican who voted for the measure was deputy House Republican leader William Hamzy of Plymouth.

Read more: http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-marijuana-decriminalization-.artapr01,0,7125416.story

[the other one]

1. The war on drugs is a war on kids

The law won't change for those under 18. Keep stigmatizing those experimenting kids before they have chance to grow up into critical thinking adults.

You can make your dorito jokes now.

[Froward69]

5. no dorito joke

I agree with you... it is amaizing to me as to how over the last 30 years or so the goal by authorities (republicans) seems to be to hamstring younger people with a record for whatever. Be it marijuana (drug offender) or mooning someone (sex offender) both eliminate kids from college or good jobs later on.

[WriteDown]

6. So I guess the legal age to drink alcohol of 21 is also

a war on kids. That's a little thin.

[the other one]

10. Yes it is!!! Nothing "thin" about it.

Kids will drink, but the legality issue forces them underground which makes their activity not only illegal but dangerous.

I am not alone in this thinking.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93749553

College Presidents Urge Rethink On Drinking Age

[WriteDown]

12. Alcohol, MJ, ecstacy...

etc. are not the greatest on developing brains. I am for the legalization of MJ, but I would still limit it to 18 and older due to continued brain development.

[bamacrat]

8. I agree...

I had DARE in 5th grade. I didnt even have the slightest idea that you could get high or your conciousness could be altered. But they told us all about these drugs that made you laugh and silly and hungry. Come to think of it thats when all the kids in my class started smoking ciggarettes and weed, and other stuff. The war on drugs and all their programs that educate really just advertise what you can do to get high. I think drug education is good and needed but I would say wait untill kids are old enough to understand what you are telling them. Telling a bunch of 10 year olds that you can breath in gas fumes and get dizzy make kids want to try. End the war on drugs legalize and regulate marijuana and see people prosper and thrive.

[Royal Sloan 09]

2. k & r,

:kick: :thumbsup:

Yes, We Cannabis!:smoke:

[tridim]

3. Cannabis is not a crime

Even if you possess a pound.

What's this half-ounce crap?

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. That's not really de-criminalizing -- it is reduced criminalizing.

Which is, I guess, a step in the right direction.

Even if it doesn't change anything in regards to growing, or to police busting dealers.

At least it won't incur a criminal record for possession of insignificant amounts.

[ensho]

7. kick

nt

[Fumesucker]

9. During alcohol Prohibition, alcohol was "decriminalized"

There were no penalties for personal possession or consumption of alcohol, just for importation, sales and manufacture.

Yay! We're moving to be just like America during Prohibition!!

Fucking pathetic that we can rejoice over such a move, eh?

[truthisfreedom]

11. Nothin' wrong with Mother Nature.

Baby steps.

[defendandprotect]

14. What is the significance of a 1/2 ounce . . .

what can you do with that much?

[Tyler Generation]

15. Smoke it

A half ounce should last anyone at least a week. Unless you're a crazy heavy smoker. When I smoke it's pretty much just on the weekends, so a half ounce last me damn near a month if not longer.

[defendandprotect]

16. Thanks --

[RaleighNCDUer]

17. Back in the day I'd go through about an ounce a week -

but that was hardly quality stuff, back when it was $15 an oz. Had to practically chain smoke for any effect.

But hey, it kept me level.

[defendandprotect]

13. The budgets might force an end to the Drug War . .. obviously on a few get rich ---

and it isn't the drug runners it's the people who control drugs and enable

the Drug War -- corrupt elected officials and corrupt police enforcement!

[sarcasmo]

18. Kick, a step in the right direction.

[Zhade]

19. It's a great FIRST STEP for this medically-proven beneficial herb.

But make no mistake, it's not over until it's legal and all people in jail for it are released.