Last Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill to decriminalize marijuana in the state of California. The law reduces the possession of pot from a “misdemeanor” to an “infraction”. The offense is now punishable by no more than a $100 fine. Gov. Schwarzenegger claimed that his support for the bill is motivated by fiscal concerns: now, the state will expend need to expend fewer resources in prosecuting offenders because they would not need to be arrested or appear in court.
The various groups involved with the Marijuana issue are divided about this new law. Some groups praise it as a step in the right direction; others say that it is still enough and they won’t “rest” until marijuana is completely legalized. Other groups still, like most of California's major police associations, oppose the measure, claiming that less severe consequences for possession will discourage people from giving up the habit.
 

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