IM: WHUSDJ
CURRENT SHOW
Ted Talks are Terrific
Some interesting news this week from the Capitol:
Connecticut has become the 14th state to decriminalize a small amount of marijuana. It passed the senate 19-18 (thanks to a Nancy Wymen tiebreaker) and passed the house 90-57. Governor Dannel (yes, that's how you spell it) Malloy plans to sign the bill as soon as possible.
Effective July 1st (once Malloy signs the bill, which he will), possession of up to 1/2 ounce of marijuana is no longer a criminal offense, but a violation (by definition, a crime carries with it the threat of jail time. A violation does not). A first offense is punishable by a $150 fine. Subsequent offenses would be punishable by a $200-500 fine. Minors under 21 who violate the new law will also lose their drivers license for 60 days, and minors under 18 will have to go through some juvenile court procedure (but probably something similarly small). Finally, someone who violates this law three times will also have to complete a drug education program at their own expense. Possession of 1/2oz to 4oz of marijuana is still a misdemeanour, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.
Personally, I believe this is a fantastic leap forward for the state--specifically a huge leap AWAY from the archaic, "drugs are bad, mmk?" standpoint of yester-year. It's good that less people will have to go through the legal/penal system (on the taxpayer dollar no less) because they had organic plant matter in their pocket. Also, the state will make money off of it (2.2 million over 2 years I believe). Before this law was passed, every single state bordering CT had passed either decriminalization of marijuana, or had legalized medical marijuana. Welcome to the club, CT.
~don salvatore