Connecticut to Decriminalize Marijuana

Currently, when you get caught with weed in Connecticut you can expect a fat fine, up to $1,000 plus you can expect to have a criminal record beginning with your first offense. But this new bill the Senate approved Saturday night is quite a departure. If this goes into law, your first weed bust would result in only a $150 fine and no criminal record…that is if you’re caught with a half-ounce or less. So if you have more, leave that shit at home. Or give it to us. Subsequent arrest will have fines that will eventually scale up to $500.

If the bill does pass, Connecticut will join an exclusive club of 16 states that have some sort of medical marijuana law on the books all of which have not suffered any increase in crime or traffic accidents, or weed-related health problems, or juvenile delinquency or any other supposed consequences of using a medication that is far safer than many pharmaceuticals or even alcohol. So it goes without saying that those who are into the new legislation see that the new bill will allow folks in law enforcement and people who work in the judicial system to focus on more pressing matters.

“This would free up court time, probation officer time, police time, to focus on the much more serious stuff,” said Malloy’s chief criminal justice adviser, Michael Lawlor.

Next stop the bill, which is backed by Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy, takes on the House before in can be put into law.

“Time’s running short, we have a lot of important matters before us,” House Speaker Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden, has said. “We’re doing a tally to see what the support is… I think there is some support”.

We’ll see and we’ll be certain to let you know ‘bout that tally if we’re not too stoned and forget and stuff. Then you tell us, okay?