Wednesday, October 6, 2010

CA weed law doesn't go far enough

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger most recently signed a brand new California cannabis bill into law. The bill slightly decriminalizes the possession of marijuana. The bill only decreases the penalty under law for possessing up to a certain amount. Under the brand new regulation, any person caught with a certain amount of marijuana without a prescription will pay a small fine. Formerly, the offense would take a defendant to court for misdemeanor possession.

The marijuana reform by Schwarzenegger

The SB 1449 bill was something Governor Schwarzenegger signed recently. SB 1449 is about marijuana. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana has a penalty that went down with it. Right now, an individual could be fined up to $100 and is needed to show up to court with a misdemeanor offence. January 1, 2011 is when the change could be happening. Only a penalty will occur with the new bill. It would be lawful to use marijuana for recreational purposes with a new bill. This one is called Proposition 19. Governor Schwarzenegger only signed SB 1449 for practical reasons although is actually against Prop 19. It is a huge burden to courts to have too several cases in there. Also, it was a burden to law officials. California has some of the most relaxed medical cannabis laws within the United States.

Argument comes of the inadequate bill

The arguments concerning marijuana use and its relative “evils” are flawed. Marijuana has the exact same effect of tobacco and alcohol. It is the same kind of gateway drug. Whether or not that person uses marijuana first or not, someone wanting drugs will discover them. The drug being illegal is odd to begin with thinking about the history of the criminalization of cannabis. One of the reasons Nixon launched the “Drug War” was to give police force greater powers to crack down on political dissenters.

Less benefits

History teaches us that individuals will find a way to do what they want, regardless of the regulation. Within the early 20th century, alcohol became prohibited. Of course more crime only happened with this. We can see the exact same thing. It comes when prohibiting marijuana. The police end up having more to do. Anyone who lived with the K.G.B or the Stasi looking over their shoulder can attest to the abhorrence of that experience. Nobody enjoys marijuana being illegal. It does not benefit anyone.

Data from

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/schwarzenegger-signs-bill-reducing-offense-for-marijuana-possession.html



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