DAVIS -- As California struggles to find cash, Gov. Schwarzenegger said Tuesday it's time to study whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use. The Republican governor did not support legalization -- and the federal government still bans marijuana use -- but advocates hailed the fact that Schwarzenegger endorsed studying a once-taboo political subject. Schwarzenegger was at a fire safety event in Davis when he answered a question about a recent Field Poll showing 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenue for cash-strapped California. Voters in 1996 authorized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. [continues 278 words]
As California struggles to find cash, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday it's time to study whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use. The Republican governor did not support legalization - and the federal government still bans marijuana use - but advocates hailed the fact that Schwarzenegger endorsed studying a once-taboo political subject. "Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?" [continues 625 words]
Possession Of An Ounce Or Less Would Be An Infraction Pot smokers would be comparable to speeding drivers in the eyes of the law under a proposal that cleared a state Senate committee Thursday. The legislation, SB 791, would reclassify the lowest marijuana offense -- possessing an ounce or less -- from a misdemeanor to an infraction, the same level as an average traffic violation. The bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-0 vote and is headed for the Senate floor. [continues 318 words]
Pot smokers would be comparable to speeding drivers in the eyes of the law under a proposal that cleared a state Senate committee on Thursday. The legislation, SB 791, would reclassify the lowest marijuana offense - possessing an ounce or less - from a misdemeanor to an infraction, the same level as an average traffic violation. The bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-0 vote and is headed for the Senate floor. Proponents said the change more appropriately aligns the offense and its penalty. Since the Moscone Act decriminalized small-time drug offenses in 1975, those caught with an ounce or less of pot have been subject to a $100 fine and no jail time. [continues 279 words]
Patients using medicinal marijuana would be free from arrest if they obtain identity cards under a state Senate proposal that has law enforcement support. Backers of the measure, SB 187, say the system would identify who is eligible to use pot for medical purposes under Proposition 215, which in 1996 legalized marijuana for patients with severe conditions. Some patients and their advocates are skeptical because the bill has broad support from several of the same law enforcement groups and prosecutors who opposed Proposition 215. [continues 668 words]
