Senate supports downgrading marijuana possession

In a 21-13 vote, the Senate approved S.B. 1449, which would reclassify possession of under an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction. The penalty would remain a $100 fine. The bill — which is sponsored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), a longtime champion of sensible marijuana policies — is now in the Assembly, and will soon be assigned to a committee. Please call your Assembly member in support of this bill.

If S.B. 1449 is enacted, it would ensure that people accused of simple possession would not have to go before a judge, saving a substantial amount of tax dollars. It would also stop saddling low-level marijuana offenders with criminal records. Although MPP believes this bill is a step in the right direction, making possession an infraction also has some downsides: It would also eliminate the right to a public defender and a jury trial.