"Marijuana penalties ease in Rhode Island" by David Klepper | Associated Press, April 02, 2013
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island became the latest state Monday to roll back criminal penalties for minor marijuana possession, replacing the threat of jail time with something more like a traffic citation.
While it is still a criminal offense to drive while under the influence of marijuana, adults caught with an ounce or less of marijuana now face a $150 civil fine and a hearing at the state’s traffic court.
Minors will also be required to complete community service and a drug-awareness class. The incident will not appear on an individual’s criminal record, though anyone cited three times within 18 months will face misdemeanor charges.
Fourteen states have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Last year, Colorado and Washington went further, becoming the first American states to legalize the drug.
Related: Wash. marijuana law welcomed in cloud of smoke
Colorado Shooting Sequel
You will find some pot in there somewhere.
Advocates for changing marijuana policies applauded Rhode Island’s new law at a State House event Monday.
Dr. David Lewis, a physician and Brown University professor who studies drug addiction, said criminal penalties for minor marijuana offenses are expensive, unnecessary, and ineffective. He would like to see the state go further in regulating marijuana.
‘‘Rhode Island has taken a significant step in correcting what I think . . . is an error in the law,’’ he said. ‘‘I think we have a conversation going on right now in Rhode Island.’’
The law was passed last year, but its enactment was delayed until April 1 to give police time to prepare. State Police Captain John Lemont said officers in many departments have been trained on the new procedures for handling marijuana cases.
‘‘It’s not legalization; it’s decriminalization,’’ Lemont said. ‘‘It’s still a civil offense. Essentially, it’s going to be a traffic ticket.’’
But state Representative Jim McLaughlin, a Cumberland Democrat, said decriminalization sends the wrong message to teenagers and could ease the way for legalization.
We here this thing all the time, and it's a fraud argument. Boils down to casting the opponent not caring about children.
Yeah, well, I'm not calling for austerity on their backs for the benefit of bankers as they swallow student loan debts, drugs down their throats, needles in their arms, and then are sent off to wars based on lies when they hit 18, either.
And this Democrat(?) is worried about the wrong message?
When thieving banks and certain corporations are too big to jail?
A bill to subject marijuana to alcohol-style regulations and taxes is pending in the General Assembly, but is unlikely to pass this year.
I'm surprised it's not winning more $upporters in this day and age of looking for tax loot, until I am reminded that the chemical company lobbyi$ts have a lot to do with that.
‘‘It’s a mind-altering drug,’’ he said. ‘‘We can’t even handle our alcohol.’’
Time to reintroduce a bill for Prohibition then!
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Also see: ACLU sues over R.I. medical marijuana policy
Related: The Greatest Story Never Told
California Scientists Say Marijuana Compound Cures Cancer
I now $ee the problem with something else that has been hidden.
UPDATES:
"R.I. man kills wife, self, police say
A Cumberland man and his wife are dead in what police said was a murder-suicide while their daughter and grandchildren were at home with them. The man, 73, and his wife, 70, were in a bedroom shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday when he apparently shot her twice in the torso with his .32-caliber handgun, Police Chief John Desmarais said Monday. He then shot himself in the head. The couple’s 40-year-old daughter and three grandchildren also lived in the home and heard the shots, he said. They called police after discovering the bodies."
Wondering what drugs they were on.
Also see: Mass. man charged in Woonsocket shooting
Cianci to be inducted into the R.I. radio hall
UPDATES:
"R.I. man kills wife, self, police say
A Cumberland man and his wife are dead in what police said was a murder-suicide while their daughter and grandchildren were at home with them. The man, 73, and his wife, 70, were in a bedroom shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday when he apparently shot her twice in the torso with his .32-caliber handgun, Police Chief John Desmarais said Monday. He then shot himself in the head. The couple’s 40-year-old daughter and three grandchildren also lived in the home and heard the shots, he said. They called police after discovering the bodies."
Wondering what drugs they were on.
Also see: Mass. man charged in Woonsocket shooting
Cianci to be inducted into the R.I. radio hall
