YAY! Connecticut Governor Malloy Congratulates House On Passing Marijuana Decriminalization

[Soral]

Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released a statement applauding final passage of a bill modifying the penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana, approved by the House of Representatives this afternoon in concurrence with the Senate.

“Final approval of this legislation accepts the reality that the current law does more harm than good – both in the impact it has on people’s lives and the burden it places on police, prosecutors and probation officers of the criminal justice system. Let me make it clear - we are not legalizing the use of marijuana. In modifying this law, we are recognizing that the punishment should fit the crime, and acknowledging the effects of its application. There is no question that the state’s criminal justice resources could be more effectively utilized for convicting, incarcerating and supervising violent and more serious offenders.

“Modification of this law will now put Connecticut in line with the laws of two of our neighboring states, New York and Massachusetts, and a total of thirteen states across the country with similar statutes. I applaud the General Assembly in their passage of this legislation and will sign it into law. I would also like to specifically thank State Senator Martin Looney, who first introduced this legislation in 2009, for his support and advocacy of this issue.”

http://weston-ct.patch.com/articles/malloy-congratulates-house-on-decriminalization

[Soral]

1. I'm proud to be a nutmegger today.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. why doesn't this article say what the penalty will be?

[Upton]

6. This does...

http://blog.mpp.org/prohibition/connecticut-legislature-decriminalizes-marijuana/06072011/

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. thanks... I am from CT and am going to the shore on vacation

cheers to CT...people are so damn smart there

[Uncle Joe]

8. This one does.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4876281

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.

Now they just need to legalize it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. thankx

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended for the great state of Connecticut.

Thanks for the thread, Soral.:thumbsup:

[Cal33]

5. If all the states did the same thing, the fed. law would become meaningless.

This law is stupid. It helps the criminal drug lords to become incredibly rich,
and impoverishes our nation at the same time.

[Soral]

7. ALL THE INFO YOU NEED ABOUT THIS IS HERE...

Connecticut lawmakers moments ago voted 90 to 57 in favor of Senate Bill 1014, decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use by adults. Senate lawmakers had narrowly approved an amended version of the measure on Saturday; House lawmakers concurred with the Senate today, sending the measure to Democrat Gov. Dannel Malloy — who will sign it into law.

As amended, SB 1014 reduces the penalties for the adult possession of up to one-half ounce of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor (punishable by one year in jail and a $1,000 fine) to a non-criminal infraction, punishable by a fine, no jail time, and no criminal record. (This measure would similarly reduce penalties on the possession of marijuana paraphernalia.)

Once signed into law, Connecticut will become the fourteenth state to replace criminal sanctions and arrest for minor marijuana possession with largely non-criminal sanctions. (Seven states pose no criminal sanctions for cannabis possession; six states have eliminated the potential for jail terms for first offenses, but still classify the offense as a misdemeanor or minor misdemeanor.)

Connecticut is only the second state enact decriminalization legislatively in the past decade. (Massachusetts enacted a similar law via ballot initiative in 2009.)

http://blog.norml.org/2011/06/07/connecticut-lawmakers-vote-to-decriminalize-adult-marijuana-possession/