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Hemp, Hemp Hooray!: Schwarzenegger Decriminalizes Marijuana In California

In what appears to be a win for California hemp heads, outgoing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that no longer makes it a crime for an adult to possess less than an ounce of weed, according to NORML.

Yesterday, Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1449 — which reduces adult marijuana possession charges from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction. In other words, if you are of age, possessing less than 28-grams of marijuana is punishable by no more than a $100 fine.

Such offenses will not warrant any court appearance, court costs, and will not appear on your criminal record.

According to NORML, an organization whose mission is to reform marijuana laws, the number of misdemeanor pot arrests has surged in recent years, reaching 61,388 in 2008. They say the move with save the state millions in court cost.

The new law takes effect on Jan 1, 2011

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