California decriminalized marijuana this week — Perhaps you missed it

The California General Assembly voted 43-33 along party lines to decriminalize marijuana possession on Tuesday.

Our Los Angeles marijuana defense attorneys applaud the move; we just hope local municipalities have the good sense to not spend their time throwing up additional laws, ordinances and other needless roadblocks.

Current California law provided for a fine of up to $100 for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana but violation of the law still constituted commission of a misdemeanor offense. Such classification led to mandatory court appearances and a criminal record. It was the only misdemeanor under California law that had a set maximum fine and not jail time.

The legal change now classifies a violation as an infraction — similar to a traffic ticket. Not as a misdemeanor offense. The maximum fine remains $100.

The San Francisco Democrat reported that the misdemeanor offenses were clogging the court system. Marijuana possession offenses numbered 61,388 in 2008,

The CANNABIS LAW GROUP offers experienced and aggressive representation to the medical marijuana industry in Southern California– including growers, dispensaries and collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call 949-375-4734 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.