The Spicoli Budget Bill
In California, that is, where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is claiming financial woes as the driving force behind his decision this week to sign a bill that would downgrade possession of an ounce or less of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction that would land a $100 fine.
The move comes as Proposition 19, to legalize the recreational use of pot, hits ballots next month and the state wrestles with a budget deficit upwards of $19 billion. This from the L.A. Times:
“Notwithstanding my opposition to Proposition 19, however, I am signing this measure because possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name,” Schwarzenegger wrote in a signing message.
“In this time of drastic budget cuts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources prosecuting a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket.”
The governor’s action was denounced by Randy Thomasson, president of saveCalifornia.com.
“This virtual legalization of marijuana definitely sends the wrong message to teenagers and young adults,” Thomasson said. “It invites youth to become addicted to mind-altering pot because there’s not much hassle and no public stigma and no rehab if they’re caught.”
Invites youth to become addicted to mind-altering pot? Public stigma? Um, anyone else think the president of saveCalifornia might have an overdue copy of “Reefer Madness” stuck on video loop.
Here’s a news flash: A $19-billion budget deficit is a public stigma, not some stoner stashing a lid for a wake-and-bake blunt.
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