HUFFINGTON POST: Garden State pot smokers have a reason to rejoice, at least temporarily: New Jersey legislators voted on Monday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Governor Chris Christie (R), however, has vowed to veto the legislation.
The New Jersey Assembly voted 44-30 to approve a measure (A1465) that would make possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less a minor civil offense similar to a parking ticket. Fines would range from $150 to $500, with mandatory drug education classes for repeat offenders. The current fine for marijuana possession is $1,000 and violators face up to six months in jail.
Even if the bill passes the state senate, Christie’s veto threat ensures it’s unlikely to become law. “The federal government still says marijuana is an illegal drug,” Christie said to a town hall on Friday. “I don’t think we should send any sort tacit approval to our children that somehow this is not bad anymore.” … (more)
EDITOR: The powerful pharmaceutical industry does not want low cost marijuana competition nor does the criminal justice industry want to lose up to two thirds of the War on Drugs.
