The good news just keeps on coming. The Connecticut House of Representatives just passed a bill to decriminalize possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana! The Senate passed the bill over the weekend, so it now heads to the desk of Governor Dan Malloy who is sure to sign it. Malloy has been a strong supporter of decriminalization and deserves much of the credit for this bill passing.
With today’s vote, the penalty for possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana will drop from a misdemeanor to a civil violation. First offense possession of a small amount of marijuana, or paraphernalia intended for it, will be punishable by a $150 fine, with penalties escalating to $200-500 for a second offense, and mandatory treatment for a third offense. Most importantly, violators will be cited rather than arrested and will not be saddled with a criminal record. Connecticut is the 14th state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, joining neighboring Massachusetts, which became the 13th state when voters passed an initiative written and sponsored by MPP’s ballot committee in 2008.
Congratulations to Lorenzo Jones and the staff of A Better Way Foundation, and the Drug Policy Alliance, who together led the lobbying effort to pass SB 1014. Also, thanks and congratulations to our members in Connecticut who made calls and sent emails to their legislators in support of this common-sense reform.
Decriminalization is not the magic solution that solves all our problems, but it is a step in the right direction. During the floor debate it was noted that 20 people spent time in a Connecticut jail this year just for possession of a small amount of marijuana and, shockingly, another 10,000-12,000 were arrested for the same. That means, thanks to this bill, thousands of otherwise law-abiding people who simply choose to use a substance safer than alcohol will not be arrested and will not receive criminal records.
Makes sense to me.
This is great news. But the question remains: Why is it a civil violation?
This is a great trend that needs to continue. It helps propel the legalization momentum forward each time a state decriminalizes and/or decriminalizes more or again. Some states might not be able to get decriminalization of an ounce, so less than a half ounce, even a quarter ounce or less…or even a certain number of grams such as 5 grams or something. Like to see what happens in Utah. The more states decriminalized, albeit for different amounts, the stronger the message to Congress. The more states with medical marijuana on the books, even if no dispensaries actually open because of the Fed threats the better. Once you get this gyroscope going things will get easier.
Glad to hear we are no longer “criminals” in Conn—just officially disapproved-of! I agree it is a small step in the right direction for once and needs to be celebrated.
Thank you…patients whose very lives were saved like me owe you more than most. Thankfully, Paul J. Soychak
Thanks to this type of a bill, thousands of otherwise law-abiding people who simply choose to use a substance safer than alcohol will not be arrested and will not receive criminal records. This should set as an example to other states, who care for their citizens and voters. They need to stop creating criminals of people who are not criminials. I am proud of Connecticut.
Great work all!
3rd offense:
Mandatory treatment? Treatment for what? Being unlucky, being set up, being stupid enough to get caught a 3rd time?
#1…..asking why its still a civil citation……
ask yourself this.
Cigarettes have long been the number one cancer causing killer. They are now being outlawed in casinos, bars, resturants, etc. and in some states, you cant even smoke a cig in your own car with your window down, if you have an infant present. I remember back when EVERYONE seemed to smoke, and they did it in their cars, homes, ON PLANE TRIPS, in bars, hell, I am pretty sure there was smoking even allowed while paying for your gas (prolly a few rere’s out there smoked while pumping gas). Also, look at what the punishments are for alcohol. There are laws against public intoxication, driving while under the influence, and, in some states, alcohol may not even be allowed in a few of their counties. Kansas, Nebraska, and a few others still have dry counties.
So, IS MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION MORE THAN “BETTER THAN NOTHING”? yes. If you are getting a civil citation, it is like a seat belt ticket.
I once said that if the USA would legalize marijuana, I would happily pay taxes on this. I would comprimise. That is what being an adult is, especially today in the USA, where communism is knocking on our doors, socialism is accepted, and the voters have almost no say so. Our ambition is simple, we want to smoke pot, and we dont want to be fucked with.
If decriminalization is the next step in phasing out prohibition, then EVEN IF PROHIBITION IS STILL ALIVE 80 YEARS FROM TODAY, BUT STILL DECRIMINALIZED, at least my daughter will be allowed to know what mj is without fear of losing her full ride to college. Maybe, just maybe, a pot smoker seeing a crime, will be able to approach a cop, NOT FEARING FOR HIS LIFE, and continue being an excellent US citizen by reporting a crime, instead of just either trying to be the hero themselves, or just turning away and saying, “fuck the police”.
Im not saying its perfect, but its much better than str8 outright WAR on the American people.
If you want to advance the stance on LEGALIZATION, then get the word out, VOTE GARY JOHNSON for President, and I am more than certain our VP will be Ron Paul.
BOTH ARE FOR LEGALIZING
Jesus said to do unto others as we would have them to do unto us. None of us would want our child thrown in jail with the sexual predators over marijuana. None of us would want to see an older family member’s home confiscated and sold by the police for growing a couple of marijuana plants for their aches and pains. It’s time to stop putting our own family members in jail over marijuana.
Next step: How about $100 for a permit to grow a dozen plants? We can use the money for our schools, and it will put the drug gangs out of business for good!
And a big THANK YOU to the courageous, freedom-loving legislators, governor, and countless others who worked so hard to bring this bill through! You’ve done a great service for the people of Connecticut and for all of America!
Here in Idaho under 3oz is’nt a felony when will you work to make that a ticketable offence ? Maybe then I can come up with donation out of my 782 SSD !
Just a small step towards the truth! Some of the representatives had the balls to say that we need to be asking why is it illegal! Thanks to all that pushed and called their reps. Now who is going to the rally in Hartford, I am!
In one word …AWESOME!!!!!! =)
If someone was to get a “Ticket” for posessing cannabis in a decriminalized state, would they lose their financial aid eligibility?
They would not lose financial aid because it is not a criminal offense and therefore does not appear on background checks.
Morgan,
That is the best part of a decrim bill. think of all of the people who will be saved a blemmish from their record. The bad thing is that cannibus will still move underground and in the shadows along side such bad company as cocaine, heroine, and meth.
Thank’s for the info,
Jinx