cannabis possession Archives

Delaware House Committee Passes Proposal to Decriminalize Cannabis

June 20, 2014June 18, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

Delaware’s House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee has given approval to House Bill 371, a proposal to decriminalize the possession of cannabis for adults 21 and older.

Under the proposed law, introduced by Representative Helene Keeley, the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis would become a simple $250 fine for those 21 and older, rather than an arrestable misdemeanor as it is currently. The fine would double if not paid within 90 days, and laws regarding minors would remain unchanged.

New Video Shows Consequences of Cannabis Possession Arrests in New York City

December 17, 2013 by Anthony Martinelli

By Drug Policy Alliance

Last night, BuzzFeed released a gripping video [which can be found below] about one New Yorker’s harrowing experience of being arrested for marijuana possession. A Marijuana Arrest tells the story of former Manhattan Public School art teacher Alberto Willmore, who recounts how his life was upended after NYPD officers aggressively seized and charged him with marijuana possession. Mr. Willmore immediately lost his teaching job, spent nearly two years fighting the case in court, and – even though the case was thrown out – he was still penalized by his employer, the Department of Education.

Insanity: A Fifty Five Year Prison Sentence For $350 Worth Of Marijuana

November 18, 2013November 18, 2013 by Anthony Martinelli

By Johnny Green, TheWeedBlog.com

The story of Weldon Angelos is one that every marijuana reform supporter should know. Weldon Angelos is currently serving a 55 year prison sentence for selling $350 worth of marijuana while having guns in his home in 2004. A lot of people don’t know that possessing a firearm while selling marijuana results in huge federal penalties.

If you get caught possessing a firearm during a drug transaction, federal law requires a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison for the first offense, and 25 years for each subsequent offense. Also, there is no parole for federal offenses. These rigid guidelines are way to harsh, and don’t allow any flexibility when it comes to sentencing. In Oregon we have minimum sentencing for some offenses (not marijuana), and they are horrible public policy.

Cannabis Possession Now Decriminalized in Switzerland

December 1, 2013October 5, 2013 by Anthony Martinelli

As of Tuesday, October 1st, the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis is no longer a criminal offen s e in Switzerland. Instead, it’s an $110 ticket.

Under this new law, the ticket associated with possessing up to 10 grams of cannabis won’t result in a court appearance, nor will it go on someone’s permanent record. This is expected to free up millions of dollars by saving on the enforcement costs of over 30,000 cannabis-related cases. Advocates claim that the new law will also free up police resources to focus on more serious crimes.