Today the Connecticut legislature has passed a bill that decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana. This bill is expected to be signed by Governor Malloy. The bill almost stalled in the Senate as the final vote was an 18-18 tie. That tie, however, was broken by the Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman.
The Connecticut bill would make possession of less than a half ounce of marijuana a civil offense, with a $150 fine for first offense and a fine of $200 to $500 for additional offenses. Any third offense would also require drug treatment. In addition, a person found in violation would face a 60 day suspension of their license to drive if they were under 21 years old.
In comparison, Virginia makes possession of marijuana a misdemeanor, and is punished by up to 30 days in jail on a first offense and up to a year in jail for subsequent offenses, and up to a $2,500.00 fine. Every offense of drug possession in Virginia carries a mandatory six month loss of driver license.
In the 2010 session of the Virginia Assembly a bill was introduced by House of Delegates member (representative of Gloucester County) Harvey B. Morgan, who is also a pharmacist. Unfortunately his bill was met with jokes and jeers from the other legislators, and did not pass.
Now that Connecticut has become the 14th State to decriminalize, how long will it take for Virginia to get serious about this issue?
http://gothamist.com/2011/06/05/connecticut_senate_approves_marijua.php
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012004695.html