NORML Action Alert: Schwarzenegger Signs Marijuana Infraction Measure!
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October 1, 2010
Yesterday, outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1449 — which reduces adult marijuana possession charges from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction. NORML would like to thank the 2,500+ of you who took the time to write the Governor over the past week via NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’, and the many more who called the Governor’s office directly in support of this historic measure.Senate Bill 1449 amends the California Health and Safety Code so that the adult possession of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana is classified as an infraction, punishable by no more than a $100 fine — no court appearance, no court costs, and no criminal record.
Passage of this bill will save the state millions of dollars in court costs by keeping minor marijuana offenders out of court. The number of misdemeanor pot arrests has surged in recent years, reaching 61,388 in 2008.
The new law, which takes effect on Jan 1, 2011, will have an effect even if Californians vote to legalize marijuana by passing Prop 19. Proposition 19 leaves misdemeanor possession penalties in place for public use and smoking in the presence of children; under SB 1449, these offenses would be simple infractions.
“Gov. Schwarzenegger deserves credit for sparing the state’s taxpayers the cost of prosecuting minor pot offenders,” said California NORML director Dale Gieringer, “Californians increasingly recognize that the war on marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources.”
160 Responses to “NORML Action Alert: Schwarzenegger Signs Marijuana Infraction Measure!”
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Thanks Arnold for a HUGE step in the right direction. We’re not done yet though. Vote YES on prop 19.
What about Iowa ? I feel Iowa is gonna screw around n wait till last, and people are gonna just go else where, where legal pot is, and people can get without hassle i guess its Iowans loss if someone moves to Where there’s revenue there and demand of good quality stuff PERIOD!!!
Arnold is numero uno!
finally we have something other than terminator to thank arnie for. wish we had some politicians making smart decions like that in australia
If this law really makes possession of less than an ounce a “civil infraction” and not a crime, cops no longer can search you or your car because you smell like pot or are seen smoking a joint because these facts will not support a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
But Penal Code section 16 defines infractions as a crime.
Prop 19:
“Support for legalizing marijuana comes from independents (63 percent) and Democrats (62 percent), while 62 percent of Republicans are opposed. It also showed support among all age groups, but most dramatically among young voters. Among those from 18 to 34, a resounding 70 percent support the measure.”
Sounds like a win to me. So, when prop 19 is passed, will the federal government sue the state for doing so?
[Russ responds: Nobody knows. Do you think a weakened President Obama, having suffered loss of the House and/or Senate in the midterms, seeing Democrats lose seats while marijuana measures pass in California, Oregon, Arizona, and maybe even South Dakota, would then offend the people of the state with 55 electoral votes by suing them over their election? Would an intelligent Democratic strategist advise Obama to alienate the 18-50-year-olds nationwide who support marijuana legalization so he can appear tough to older voter and red state residents?
Probably.]
What is the fine in California for drinking booze or smoking tobacco in front of children? How about popping prescription pills in front of children? Once again prohibitionists confirm their grasp of simple logic and common sense is on par with their understanding of freedom and liberty as cited in the Constitution of the United States. Prohibitionists are not just lying cowards, they are also illogical idiots.
Johnny Says:
October 1st, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Elrocker….. Just shut the F#%K up. Does this look like a political immigration talk site? No one cares about that topic here.
Legalization has alot to do with immigration. i still dont understand why people separate issuses in this country. All issuses has SOMETHING to do with ALL other issues. Prohibs use this tactic all the time. Separate, compartmentlize, and Isolate.
good for cal. know if the rest of the country would do that.we the people have to pull together and get out and vote. that is the only way where going to get what cal. know has, and it’s about time. let hope Gov. Schwarzenegger has started something.
#39…My thoughts exactly. Was this the October surprise? Was the plan to pass it IF Prop 19 seemed to be gaining speed (which it is)? It is still a lie about a plant. Anything under the purvue of the law will still be a “gateway” to control.
AND…if Prop 19 does not pass, Oregon may decide not to get on the 2012 ballot after all.
Good for California (for the time being)…
Bad for the rest of the USA.
Hey Bob
The Only Crime is based on a Corrupted Judicial System
When I look back at history I see so many people in our prisons for inhaling Cannabis.
Have you ever wondered what a Hemp/Cannabis World Economics would be like?
No more dependence on Arab Oil, better paper to read books filled with ideas, in short A Better World.
Yes it is promising and welcome to see this sort of progress – it almost makes up for the shambles this egomanical B actor has left our state in. (f**k & run).
But law makers are NOT swayed by the public. They work for the wealthy & powerful. Population control is the key. If TV works in prisons, it works in the gen pop. If people are upset and stressed & want to cut off the heads of the rich & powerful AND ‘weed’ is shown to have a calming effect – then weed it is. Things are about to go from bad to worse. Maybe you should have been pushing for financial reform all this time instead of trying to legalize an easy to get low penalty weed. Now were going to be even more apathetic to our Banana Republic dictators. Beware of Greeks baring gifts. When the walls were torn down around the world, privacy rights quickly eroded & surveillance exploded. They don’t give a s**t about weed – you didn’t win anything. Keep on smoking !
Thank you Arnold! for having a backbone to say enough to stupid unjust public policy.
Your Modern Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding is one of my all-time favorite books, it changed my life.
Thank you Mr. Arnold, Hopefully the rest of the country will follow along. FREE THE WEED—>BRING US ALL TOGETHER
We can get more money out of taxing it through legalization than we can collecting $100 fines.
Kudos the the Governator! Many thanks to you! The timing on this is perfect. One of the benefits of legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use in California would have been all the savings of time and money currently clogging up the criminal justice system with small-time busts. This would appear to obviate a major argument in favor of Prop. 19 inasmuch as it nudges things along every so closer toward legalization on the continuum between complete totalitarian prohibition and enforcement to complete legalization, i.e. a regulated and taxed socially responsible marketplace from production to processing to retail sales. That is meant to be also not so much paperwork and fees for this and that as to maintain the attraction of the black market network currently in place. No New Jersey style bullshit though. Amercian style regulation of cannabis does not have to be a value added tax system pretext. Specifically no Governor Chris Christie type of BS at all. Bio or hydro standards and labeling requirements please for strain, potency with chemical percentages on tested samples, likely effects for large scale producers and processors, BUT none of that for personal or private collectives under a certain size/membership/sales volume/cash flow. You get the picture.
These savings
Proposition 19 and NOV 2.. will send such a Thunderous Message, as the chosen incumbents fall into that bottomless abyss, Citizens Reclaim Freedom.
As the Nixons/Harry Jacob Anslingers are forever forgotten and long buried in that Pit to Hell, the time comes to prepare the graves for their Followers.
Times are changing for The Good
Good for you California. I hope it becomes legal soon.
Meanwhile, here in the drunken state of Michigan, the government spends its time getting drunk and bringing up a new bill which allows alcohol sales at 7am Sunday, Christmas and Christmas eve. Am I the only one here that can see these drunken hypocrites for the greedy,evil idiots they are??
I see the new law says “anyone” not just over 18
it is an infraction. When I read it it looks like it is
an infraction for everyone not just over 18. I see it is a misdemeanor for someone under 18 to have it on school campus, but looks to me like it now is just infraction for teens to have less than an ounce. I am 50 something mother and don’t want my 17 year old subject to arrest for pot. I don’t smoke now, but did in the 70′s. I am a Republican too. I will be voting for legalization and will explain my concerns with inappropriate use to my son the same as I do about alchol. The police can stay out of it thank you.
Some think that it is The End Of Times, and clap their hands on the way to Eternity.
Cannabis is the wedge, The gateway to understanding.
It was understood long ago, when you inhaled cannabis soon would come visions that spoke of freedom
If these are the end of times, I should cancel my subscription to Money Magazine
Vote YES on proposition 19
A YES VOTE will send a message of Universal Freedom
lets go NY!
Many more crimes against humanity to be deminished…thanks Arny, working for a penny a year, to actually try and help. Something the Government fails to do, allowing our police force to be corrupt cops instead of peace officers.
Senate Bill 1449 amends the California Health and Safety Code so that the adult possession of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana is classified as an infraction, punishable by no more than a $100 fine — no court appearance, no court costs, and no criminal record.
SO IT IS STILL ILLEGAL TO GROW !!!???!!!
great step forward, BUT why NOW ???
DAMAGE CONTROL.
to “take the wind out of our sails” on LEGALIZATION !!!
like an 18 wheeler is coming at them at 100 MPH,
their only hope is knock it off course, into a gully.
DO NOT LET THEM !!!
WE MUST PASS Proposition 19 !!!
We need a response NORML! Someone is saying that because Arnold signed this that he weakened support for Prop. 19!
http://caivn.org/article/2010/10/04/schwarzenegger-may-have-just-weakened-support-prop-19
[Paul Armentano responds; Russ responds to this allegation here: http://stash.norml.org/marijuana-decrim-in-california-good-prop-19-legalization-even-better.
[...] ook: Schwarzenegger signs marijuana infraction measure (NORML-blog 1 oktober 2010) Tags: Californië, cannabis, legalisering, Schwarzenegger, VS, war on [...]
If L A District Attorney Steve Cooley gets elected as California’s Attorney General there is a very real possibility it will go back to the way it was before Arnold signed the marijuana infraction measure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUXhcu86LS0&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ur2h1y6rG8
I was just reading an article from ASA about Steve Cooley …
“If Steve Cooley is elected attorney general, he promises to undo more than a decade of gains in the state.”
“Steve Cooley, the Republican candidate for California attorney general who is currently serving his third term as Los Angeles County District Attorney, has said that no one can legally buy or sell medical cannabis in California, and that he will ignore any local regulations for the operation of dispensaries. When the LA city council passed regulations for dispensaries, Cooley dismissed the council as “irrelevant,” saying he would prosecute anyone operating one.”
This is the type of person who would ignore a new law as well. Vote against this guy! The online community has become a political force. Let this guy know he is under the spotlight by posting articles about him and writing letters to draw attention to his archaic prohibitionist attitudes. His own posturing will turn the tide against him.
Vote Yes on 19, vote No on Cooley.
its good that arnold passed this but it still doesnt help the legalization movement it doesnt do anything to keep employers from firing employees for smoking pot on thier time off work, until drug testing for marajuana changes we are no better off
Prop 19 does not conflict with federal law. Proof here: http://brighton-towne.blogspot.com/
[...] high times — Ahead of Proposition 19, the Governator signed SB 1449, which allows up to almost one ounce, up to 28.5 grams of pot possession to be classified as an [...]
Semper Fidelis, Seize The Moment
When The Man On Your Back Jumps Off and Wonders
Proposition 19 Sends Clear A Message
The Governed Demand Justice
Really nice to see all these posts!
O.K. Arnold did a good thing – but – Steve Cooley – if elected Attorney General of California – will do a bad thing. Cooley doesn’t make the law – but – neither does he obey the law. That’s right! Cooley is a law breaker, and so is those rogue cops that backs him – The California Police Chiefs Association.
We’re looking for honesty in law enforcement – and – look what we get! Old King Cooley!
We have had this kind of law here in Minn. for some time now it is nice , but we still can’t get Med. Pot in this state. Wishing the people of Cali. good luck with Prop 19.Hey watch this Drit bag Cooley bad news the way it sounds , you all have come to far to let him F–k it up. About time Arny.
Wow, this is the fist time I’ve seen this long of a post where NOONE has opposed the consensus! That itself is a statement!
Don’t throw the party yet though folks, this is only one milestone. Keep up the fight!
Ummm. . . How “much” is 28.5 grams?????
[...] THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE. This entry was posted on Monday, October 11th, 2010 at 5:53 pm and is filed under General. [...]
I used to live in Cali and wish I was back there. Unfortunately I live in SC. I wish NORML would make more of a presence in states like this where they believe that the only people who want Marijuana reform are junkies. I am a long time sufferer of anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and Post Traumatic Stress. Pot is the ONLY thing that truly helps with all of my issues and does not cause nasty side effects. It’s sad that I have to either suffer or be a criminal!
ChiefChimp:
I am dealing with a lot of the same problems, though not all of them. I strongly suggest you research Cannabidiol . Your local sources won’t have it, even the medical stores don’t. But, over the coming years, it will be available. For the issues you list, it’s a godsend. Better than THC and it doesn’t get you high, so you can take it (almost) whenever.
Walter:
Thank you so much for the info!!! I will definitely look into it. Recently I have had to try a ton of different medicines all of which have bmade me very sick. Besides being 31 and feeling 91, I feel like I’m missing out on the world around me because I can’t enjoy it. I’m open to try anything that actually works! Thanks again!
ChiefChimp
Thanks so much !!! I have to take Morphine due to an Accident and I just received my License and it helps me get off the Narcotics !!! I hope you have set a course for the United States as one to help so many people !!! Thank you so Much !!!
wowwwwww im so disappointed prop 19 a failure… i live in Indiana and currently do not smoke weed bcuz i waz arrested for dealing. Although its not just on Cali 2 get this done but everybody in every state needs to step up an support the movement. Everybody knows its a better recreational drug than alcohol and helps u deal w stress better than nicotine plus its a hell of a lot safer. Im tired of seein young adults like myself go to jail and spend thousands of dollars that they dont have to the govt wen they can just legalize it and tax it and still make their money. Also there are many more uses besides smoking it. The marijuana industry would b huge for this country. Somethin we need to help pull us outta debt. Anyway this has gone on 4 far too long people need to quit talkin about it and finally take action. Thanx Arnie 4 takin the first steps but all supporters around the us need to write their congressmen start campaigning and holding rallies… SCREW individual props needs 2 b federal
Since THC is illegal… recently there has been synthetic products goin around which could potentially be harmful w long term effects. Although it may not be safe i still smoke it cuz im on probation. I live in indiana and every county has banned k2 (mainstream synthetic weed) jwh018 is the chemical still producers keep tweaking the chemical to change it enough to be legal and still get u high. IDK y weed can just b legal and cut out this nonsense yes i get it the children must b protected from it and u shouldnt be able to be high in public or operating machinery but lets face the facts its not as addictive as nicotine and it will not destroy your life like alcohol cocaine heroine or meth can. The govt needs to focus on the real problems here. Anyway everybodies opinion does matter so everybody needs to speak up. If anybody has any info on campaigns or rallies in Indiana PLZ email me (kjball89@gmail.com) and i encourage everybody to write n blogs to motivate ppl to legalize marijuana
[...] Governor Schwarzenegger essentially neutralised the issue a month before the election by signing a law rendering personal possession of pot less than a misdemeanor – turning it into an “infraction” – akin to a parking ticket – one that no longer [...]
Right now a minor under 21 in possession of pot gets it reported to DMV even if it doesn’t involve possession in a car. When this becomes an infraction on January 1 will the DMV still get the report and have the power to suspend a minor’s license?
[...] of January 1, 2011, Senate Bill 1499 is law. Signed by outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October, SB 1449 amends the California [...]
[...] of January 1, 2011, Senate Bill 1449 is law. Signed by outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October, SB 1449 amends the California [...]
[...] of January 1, 2011, Senate Bill 1449 is law. Signed by outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October, SB 1449 amends the California [...]
[...] of January 1, 2011, Senate Bill 1449 is law. Signed by outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October, SB 1449 amends the California [...]
[...] of January 1, 2011, Senate Bill 1449 is law. Signed by outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October, SB 1449 amends the California [...]