Arnold Schwarzenegger signs bill reducing offense for marijuana possession

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday signed into law a bill that decriminalizes the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. The bill reduces simple possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction. Currently, small-time pot possession is “semi-decriminalized” in California. There is no possible jail sentence and a maximum $100 fine.

But because possession is a misdemeanor, people caught with pot are “arrested,” even if that means only they are served a notice to appear, and they must appear before a court. In a signing statement, Schwarzenegger said he opposed decriminalization for personal use and threw in a gratuitous jab at Proposition 19, the tax and regulate marijuana legalization initiative, but that the state couldn’t afford the status quo.

California NORML director Dale Gieringer said that “Governor Schwarzenegger deserves credit for sparing the state’s taxpayers the cost of prosecuting minor pot offenders,”

The New Law will take effect from 1st January 2011.