UPDATE: BILL TO DECRIMINALIZE MINOR POT POSSESSION OFFENSES SIGNED BY GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER
SACRAMENTO Aug 30: The California state Assembly voted 43-33 to approve Sen. Mark Leno’s bill SB 1449 downgrading petty marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction. The bill passed thanks to support from the CA district attorneys and courts; similar legislation had been voted down by the Assembly three times in the past.
The bill now heads to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk for his signature.
As usual, the vote split largely along party lines, with Democrats voting 40 – 8 in favor of more lenient penalties and Republicans 2 – 23 against. Independent Juan Arambula voted yes. Republicans voting in favor were Anthony Adams of Hesperia and Chris Norby of Brea. Democrats voting no were Anne Marie Caballero (Salinas), Felipe Fuentes (LA), Ted Lieu (Torrance), Pedro Nava (Santa Barbara), V. Manuel Perez (Cathderal City), Anthony Portantino (Pasadena), Jose Solorio (Santa Ana), and Mike Gatto (Burbank). Not voting were Democrats Marty Block (SD) and Cathleen Galgiani (Tracy).
Californians are urged to tell the Governor to sign SB 1449 into law
Also see: Sen. Leno Introduces Cal. Bill to Make MJ Possession an Infraction
