Decriminalization passed in House ... Governor will sign. Marijuana is going to be de - Medical Cannabis News - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

iSMOKE.KUSH · 06-08-2011, 02:15 AM

https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/...ature_passes_m

The Connecticut Senate Saturday narrowly approved a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The vote was an 18-18 tie until Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), in her position as president of the Senate, cast the tie-breaking vote to put the measure over the top.

Connecticut is about to join the ranks of the decrim states. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

On Monday, it passed the House. It is supported by Gov. Dan Malloy (D), who Saturday urged the House to pass it.

Under current law, the possession of "any usable amount" of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000. The fine jumps to $3,000 for subsequent offenses.

The bill, Senate Bill 1014, would make possession of less than a half-ounce of pot a civil infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $150. Fines jump to from $200 to $500 for subsequent violations. People under 21 would see their drivers' licenses suspended for 60 days, similar to the punishment for minors in possession of alcohol. Under an amendment by marijuana foe Rep. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) and accepted by Democrats, anyone thrice cited for small-time possession would be required to seek drug treatment.

Supporters of the bill argued that slapping people with a criminal record for small-time pot possession unfairly burdened them and the criminal justice system, but opponents said it sent the wrong message.

"It puts into jeopardy the future endeavors of such young people," said Sen. Eric Coleman (D-Bloomfield) co-chairman of the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee. "Decriminalizing the use and possession of small amounts of marijuana is a better course and in the best interest of young people whose judgment may not be fully matured."

Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) stressed that lawmakers were not legalizing marijuana. "We are not enforcing the use of illegal drugs. We strongly disapprove of their use, but we're trying to realign their punishment that is more appropriate," he said, adding that the state should be focusing its scarce criminal justice resources on dangerous offenders.

But Boucher had dire warnings for Connecticut if the bill passed. "When we do this, and it has been shown in other states that have gone down this path, there is both an increase in use and an increase in crime," said Boucher, who also opposes another bill that would fully legalize the medical use of marijuana.

Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-Fairfield) used a version of the discredited gateway theory to bolster his opposition. He told solons his old sister had started with marijuana, then went on to become addicted to cocaine and other drugs before getting clean after treatment.

"For me, a policy that lessens the severity of drug use is a bad one," he said. "I don't believe we should just give up."

After the bill passed the Senate, Gov. Malloy urged the House to approve "a commonsense" criminal justice reform. The state is "doing more harm than good when we prosecute people who are caught using marijuana -- needlessly stigmatizing them in a way they would not if they were caught drinking underage," he said.

Now, the legislature has done as the governor asked. Expect Malloy to sign the bill shortly.

Hartford, CT United States

trichrider · 06-19-2011, 06:21 PM

SunshineDreams · 09-14-2011, 02:10 AM

^ good to read, now if only the movement would take hold down south...

BigDawg · 09-14-2011, 02:37 AM

it has in kentucky.

Warped1 · 09-14-2011, 04:14 AM

Cool, a step in the right direction

09-14-2011, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg

it has in kentucky.

Really? That's news to me. Other than the new statutes signed this spring, haven't seen anything positive.

And, good deal for you folks in CT!

BigDawg · 09-14-2011, 10:25 AM

ah nevermind i thought KY decriminalized it. Looks like they just made it a class B misdemeanor. Still progress.

Anyways, congrats to Connecticut.

shiftfoot · 09-14-2011, 10:38 AM

Doesn't sound decriminalized to me if you're still getting fined.

09-14-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg

ah nevermind i thought KY decriminalized it. Looks like they just made it a class B misdemeanor. Still progress.

Anyways, congrats to Connecticut.

No problem. I was really hoping you had wind of something; I've been out of town a lot and not following local stuff.

NiteTiger · 09-14-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineDreams

^ good to read, now if only the movement would take hold down south...

Workin' on it

06-08-2011, 02:15 AM	#1
iSMOKE.KUSH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,263	Decriminalization passed in House ... Governor will sign. Marijuana is going to be de https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/...ature_passes_m The Connecticut Senate Saturday narrowly approved a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The vote was an 18-18 tie until Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), in her position as president of the Senate, cast the tie-breaking vote to put the measure over the top. Connecticut is about to join the ranks of the decrim states. (Image via Wikimedia.org) On Monday, it passed the House. It is supported by Gov. Dan Malloy (D), who Saturday urged the House to pass it. Under current law, the possession of "any usable amount" of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000. The fine jumps to $3,000 for subsequent offenses. The bill, Senate Bill 1014, would make possession of less than a half-ounce of pot a civil infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $150. Fines jump to from $200 to $500 for subsequent violations. People under 21 would see their drivers' licenses suspended for 60 days, similar to the punishment for minors in possession of alcohol. Under an amendment by marijuana foe Rep. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) and accepted by Democrats, anyone thrice cited for small-time possession would be required to seek drug treatment. Supporters of the bill argued that slapping people with a criminal record for small-time pot possession unfairly burdened them and the criminal justice system, but opponents said it sent the wrong message. "It puts into jeopardy the future endeavors of such young people," said Sen. Eric Coleman (D-Bloomfield) co-chairman of the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee. "Decriminalizing the use and possession of small amounts of marijuana is a better course and in the best interest of young people whose judgment may not be fully matured." Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) stressed that lawmakers were not legalizing marijuana. "We are not enforcing the use of illegal drugs. We strongly disapprove of their use, but we're trying to realign their punishment that is more appropriate," he said, adding that the state should be focusing its scarce criminal justice resources on dangerous offenders. But Boucher had dire warnings for Connecticut if the bill passed. "When we do this, and it has been shown in other states that have gone down this path, there is both an increase in use and an increase in crime," said Boucher, who also opposes another bill that would fully legalize the medical use of marijuana. Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-Fairfield) used a version of the discredited gateway theory to bolster his opposition. He told solons his old sister had started with marijuana, then went on to become addicted to cocaine and other drugs before getting clean after treatment. "For me, a policy that lessens the severity of drug use is a bad one," he said. "I don't believe we should just give up." After the bill passed the Senate, Gov. Malloy urged the House to approve "a commonsense" criminal justice reform. The state is "doing more harm than good when we prosecute people who are caught using marijuana -- needlessly stigmatizing them in a way they would not if they were caught drinking underage," he said. Now, the legislature has done as the governor asked. Expect Malloy to sign the bill shortly. Hartford, CT United States __________________ RELAPSE SEEDS (coming soon) polyhybrids for seed junkies (small project for now...all profits goto charity/server fund) 16 kW grow log my 10,000 watt kush grow show (done)
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06-19-2011, 06:21 PM	#2
trichrider THEORETICAL Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: between CB1 and the singularity. Posts: 7,046	__________________ "I'm not always a dick...but when I am, I drink cheap beer".
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09-14-2011, 02:10 AM	#3
SunshineDreams Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 69	^ good to read, now if only the movement would take hold down south...
	Quote 2 members found this post helpful.

09-14-2011, 04:14 AM	#5
Warped1 I'm a victim of fast women and slow horses Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Munden's Bar Posts: 1,672	Cool, a step in the right direction __________________ The Official Hempy Bucket Thread https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=98419 The K.I.S.S. Method https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=191645 "There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even it's oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder" Alfred Austin
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09-14-2011, 10:38 AM	#8
shiftfoot Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 104	Doesn't sound decriminalized to me if you're still getting fined. __________________
	Quote 4 members found this post helpful.

09-14-2011, 02:37 AM	#4
BigDawg Spending a G in the Vending Machine Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 916	it has in kentucky.
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09-14-2011, 10:25 AM	#7
BigDawg Spending a G in the Vending Machine Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 916	ah nevermind i thought KY decriminalized it. Looks like they just made it a class B misdemeanor. Still progress. Anyways, congrats to Connecticut.
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