(WA) Lawmakers considering decreasing marijuana penalty

[The Straight Story]

Lawmakers considering decreasing marijuana penalty

By BRIAN SLODYSKO
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA -- Civil liberties groups, medical marijuana supporters and a smattering of music festival-goers may have reason to rejoice: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would effectively decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

A bill proposed by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, would reduce the penalty for possessing marijuana in quantities of 1.4 ounces or less to a civil infraction carrying a $100 fine.

"Marijuana has been demonized and has been demonized in such an overboard manner," Kohl-Welles said Tuesday.

Currently, possession of small amounts of the leafy drug is a misdemeanor offense, warranting arrest and carrying the possibility of punishment with fines and jail time.

If Kohl-Welles' bill is approved, possession of marijuana would no longer be an offense subject to arrest. However, teenagers younger than 18 would still be subject to current law.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/399550_pot11.html

[Salviati]

1. Can't happen soon enough.

Why we're paying to lock up those "hardened criminals" is beyond me, and I hope that they make this decriminalization retroactive and release all of those who are currently locked up.

And this comes from a person who has not so much as touched a joint in his life.