The new law goes into effect on January 11, 2020.
, decriminalizes possession of a personal amount of cannabis and provides retroactive expungement for individuals with similar past possession offenses. maintains a $130 fine; however, the looming penalty of jail time is no longer a threat for possession of up to three grams of cannabis -- the most minuscule possession threshold in any decriminalized state.
While simple possession is no longer considered a crime, it differs from legalization. Possession of more than three grams, or selling cannabis for non-medical reasons, is still considered criminal activity and therefore subject to arrest and potential prosecution.Record expungement is not automatic, as in the state of llinois -- it potentially requires a written application process.
"While any progress is great, this stands to be the least progressive decriminalization statue, among states with them, in the whole," says Troy Smit of the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws .effectively allowing it to become law on TuesdaySome opponents of cannabis legalization prefer decriminalization as a way to reallocate law enforcement resources to police more pressing criminal activity.
Some legalization advocates think it is problematic that decriminalization keeps sales of adult use marijuana illegal. Without the opportunity to purchase cannabis legally, the illicit market and dangers associated with it --such as organized crime-- continues to flourish. However, despite the fact that cannabis is fully legal California, the illicit market there continues to proliferate.Cannabis legalization is not garnering much supportWhile Hawaii's government currently does not currently seem keen to legalize cannabis, for now it has accepted decriminalization.I am a United Nations-based reporter and photographer. My work has been syndicated globally in various media outlets from The New York Times to High Times. I was formerl...
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