R.I. law now says it's not a crime to possess small amounts of marijuana

Providence Journal ^ | April 1, 2013 | W. Zachary Malinowski

[Ken H]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - - As of midnight, Rhode Island became the 15th state to decriminalize non-medical marijuana possession, meaning that anyone caught with up to one ounce will get a $150 ticket instead of facing a misdemeanor criminal charge.

The softened penalty is the state's latest move to regulate use of a drug that has become more acceptable. The ball began rolling in 2006, when the General Assembly passed a law establishing a state medical-marijuana program, allowing patients to grow their own cannabis or get it from caregivers, or growers, certified by the state.

[a fool in paradise]

So says the small state.

[jwalsh07]

Think this will have unintended consequences?

[a fool in paradise]

meaning that anyone caught with up to one ounce will get a $150 ticket instead of facing a misdemeanor criminal charge.

ANYONE???

[Kickass Conservative]

Just don’t store it inside a Spring Loaded Box that holds more than seven Joints and it’s all good Man.

[Ken H]

Think this will have unintended consequences?

I'm not aware of any in the numerous states that have already decriminalized, so my answer is "no". What do you think?

[jwalsh07]

I think yes. I'm not much concerned about the occasional pot smoker. I am concerned about the chronic pot smoker sitting on his ass collecting welfare while me and mine pay for it. I also am not much in favor of giving the state more tax revenue to dole out and that is inevitable. That horse is out of the barn. From decriminalization to taxation is a certainty. More government intervention in the affairs of it's citizens. More votes bought. Another protected class. Maybe I'm wrong but I doubt it.

Libertarian ideals can only work in a libertarian state. The hybrid of libertarian drug use with government taxation/regulation is a bastard child that will never do anybody any good.

[LouAvul]

Sure. Outlaw guns. Legalize dope. Idiots.

[FreedomStar3028]

9/10 potheads are deadbeats. Of all the people I know that smoke it frequently, only 2 hold a job.

[Ken H]

I think yes. I'm not much concerned about the occasional pot smoker. I am concerned about the chronic pot smoker sitting on his ass collecting welfare while me and mine pay for it.

So let's keep arresting them and use your tax dollars for police, public defenders, court time, rehab and/or jail time. You can add pension, salary and health care costs for the public officials involved.

I also am not much in favor of giving the state more tax revenue to dole out and that is inevitable. That horse is out of the barn. From decriminalization to taxation is a certainty. More government intervention in the affairs of it's citizens.

So violent SWAT raids, asset seizure and dog killings are not govt. intervention into the affairs of its citizens?

[GeronL]

“anyone”

not just adults?

wwell, there goes the fake libertarian argument that its for adults.

[Ken H]

"Under the new law, minors caught with marijuana will have to complete a drug awareness program and perform community service. Half the revenue from fines will be put toward youth education and treatment programs."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/01/us-usa-marijuana-rhodeisland-idUSBRE9300EH20130401

[GeronL]

not nearly enough

[JustSayNoToNannies]

So violent SWAT raids, asset seizure and dog killings are not govt. intervention into the affairs of its citizens?

They're protecting our nation's precious bodily fluids.

Oh, and it's for the children.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

"Under the new law, minors caught with marijuana will have to complete a drug awareness program and perform community service. Half the revenue from fines will be put toward youth education and treatment programs."

not nearly enough

What do you advocate? Should minors do hard time?

[jwalsh07]

Are you retarded? Or are you just playing at it? Put anything you want in your body. I don’t care. I just don’t want to pay for your diapers, your burgers, your rehab or your progeny. And by your I don’t mean you specifically I mean the bigger your.

[JimRed]

Good, maybe the pothead morons will move there and away from me.

[stuartcr]

Good or bad, don’t just about all actions have them...I’m guessing there’s a number of folk here that wish for the bad consequences.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Good, maybe the pothead morons will move there and away from me.

You pothead-haters can most effectively incentivize them to leave your states if the federal drug laws are repealed.

[JimRed]

Pothead haters? I define “pothead” as one who regularly uses, to the point of affecting his ability to function normally. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t try to stretch it on.

I don’t hate people who do stupid things; I’ve done my share. But in today’s entitlement climate, when they’ve smoked themselves into unemployability, their hands end up in my pocket because some liberal do-gooder declares their habit to be a disease.