Arnold Schwarzenegger just signed a new California cannabis bill into regulation. The regulation makes cannabis slightly less illegal. The possession of small amounts of weed has slightly less stiff penalties. The proposal mandates a small fine for possession of small amounts of weed. The law used to be just a little tougher. Previously, it was a misdemeanor which mandated a court appearance.
Schwarzenegger operating the cannabis reform angle
Most recently, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill. The bill was called 1449. SB 1449 is about marijuana. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana has a penalty that went down with it. Currently, it is a misdemeanor that calls for a court appearance, and up to a $100 fine. The Los Angeles explains that the penalty will now only be a fine as of January 1, 2011. There is also an additional bill, Proposition 19, which would make marijuana use for recreational purposes totally lawful. Governor Schwarzenegger only signed SB 1449 for practical reasons although is actually against Prop 19. The idea is to cut back burdens on law enforcement and courts. Through the whole U.S., California’s medical weed laws are the most relaxed.
The bill is insufficient
The arguments concerning marijuana use and its relative “evils” are flawed. Marijuana is no more a gateway drug than tobacco or alcohol. If somebody wants to do drugs, they’ll get a hold of them very easily. Cannabis may not have even been their first drug. The drug being illegal is odd to begin with considering 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.
No advantages
The regulation will not stop individuals from doing what they want, says history. Crime happened mostly because alcohol was prohibited within the early 20th century. We can see the same thing. It comes when prohibiting marijuana. It opens the door to a police state. Anyone who lived with the K.G.B or the Stasi looking over their shoulder can attest to the abhorrence of that experience. Marijuana being illegal helps nobody.
Info from
LA Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/schwarzenegger-signs-bill-reducing-offense-for-marijuana-possession.html
