Conn. to Decriminalize Minor Marijuana Possession

Yesterday, the House passed a bill which will impose simple monetary penalties for possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana, doing away with misdemeanor offense charges, according to an Associated Press report. 

Under the new bill, charges for the first offense of minor possession would be $150, with the fine increasing within the range of $200-$500 for subsequent charges, according to the report. Those under 18 years of age caught with possession will be both fined and will have their driver’s license revoked for 60 days, the report statess. 

Only Conn. Governor Dan Malloy needs to sign the bill for it to become law. Malloy has been an advocate  for decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, and released an email statement to the press “applauding” the House’s decision and promised to sign the new legislation.

“Final approval of this legislation accepts the reality that the current law does more harm than good – both in the impact it has on people’s lives and the burden it places on police, prosecutors and probation officers of the criminal justice system,” said Malloy in the email.

“Let me make it clear - we are not legalizing the use of marijuana. In modifying this law, we are recognizing that the punishment should fit the crime, and acknowledging the effects of its application.  There is no question that the state’s criminal justice resources could be more effectively utilized for convicting, incarcerating and supervising violent and more serious offenders,” Malloy wrote.

“Modification of this law will now put Connecticut in line with the laws of two of our neighboring states, New York and Massachusetts, and a total of thirteen states across the country with similar statutes. I applaud the General Assembly in their passage of this legislation and will sign it into law. I would also like to specifically thank State Senator Martin Looney, who first introduced this legislation in 2009, for his support and advocacy of this issue,” wrote the governor.

Among those opposed to the bill was Senator Toni Boucher (R-26), who Boucher resides in Wilton.