Lawmakers: Fines, Not Jail, For Small Pot Busts

Jim Finnel

Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
HARTFORD, Conn. - Two Connecticut lawmakers say the state is spending too much money prosecuting people caught with small amounts of marijuana, and they're calling for fines instead of arrests.

Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney and Sen. Toni Harp are hoping the state's growing budget deficit helps convince their peers that decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana is a good idea.

The two New Haven Democrats want Connecticut to do what Massachusetts did in November and impose fines on people caught with 1 ounce or less of marijuana.

Harvard researchers found that Massachusetts state police had been spending about $30 million a year on arresting and investigating low-level marijuana users. There's no similar cost estimate for Connecticut.


News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Hartford Courant
Copyright: 2009 Associated Press
Contact: https://advertise.courant.com/porta...Courant/Market Profile/mhc-contactus-overview
Website: Lawmakers: fines, not jail, for small pot busts -- Courant.com
 
The fantastic news just keeps rolling on in and lighting me up.

The list of states considering MMJ or decrim, whether through direct legislative action or from citizen iniative is flowering.
 
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