$1 fine for weed proposed in Colorado, USA

Dr.DOB

Dr.DOB

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Fine for pot in Denver could go down to $1
August 27, 2009 -

DENVER - A city panel in charge of overseeing marijuana possession crimes in Denver recommended on Wednesday that the fine for possession be set at $1.

If Denver's presiding judge accepts the recommendation from the Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel, the fine would be the lowest in the entire nation for marijuana possession.

The panel was created by Mayor John Hickenlooper in December 2007 after voters passed an ordinance that made it so adult marijuana possession is the city's "lowest law enforcement priority."

In May 2008, the city attorney's office made it so those cited for the crime can mail in their fines instead of having to appear in court. At that time, the city attorney's office assigned the value of the fine at $50.

"By setting the fine at just $1, we are sending a message to Denver officials that the era of citing adults for using a less harmful drug than alcohol is over. It's simply not worth the city's time or resources," said panel member and SAFER Executive Director Mason Tvert, who coordinated the successful Denver marijuana initiatives.

Lt. Ernest Martinez with the Denver Police Department is also part of the panel and voted against lowering the fine.

"There's no indication that there's a problem with the fine schedule," Martinez said. "The panel is going outside the bounds of the language of the ordinance."

Martinez thinks there should be more dialogue about the changes.
http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=122082
 
That's amazing. Wonder how NYC's arrest rate would look if this policy took effect there..
 
I think that they are on the right track, but not moving strongly enough.
They need to GIVE money to people with weed, to support the mind-enhancing efforts of the people. After all, alcohol numbs, while weed awakens.
Alcohol kills, while marijuana's anti-cancer properties are well-known.
The gov should be thankful for weed users, and should support them as much as possible, just as it does people with kids.
I think a $1000 tax credit for proven marijuana users would be appropriate.
 
Denver To Move To $1 Fine For Marijuana Possession?

StopTheDrugWar.org

Drug War Chronicle

08/28/2009

Denver could soon see a maximum $1 fine -- the lowest in the country -- for simple marijuana possession. The city's Marijuana Policy Review Panel voted 6-2 Wednesday to recommend that the city do just that.

The panel was created by Mayor John Hickenlooper in December 2007 to comply with the will of voters who had just passed an ordinance making adult marijuana possession offenses the lowest law enforcement priority. That vote came after a 2005 vote to legalize marijuana in the city, a vote that was ignored by local law enforcement and prosecutors, who instead charged offenders under state law.

In May 2008, the city attorney's office set the fine for possession at $50 and arranged for payment to be made by mail instead of at a court appearance. Now it will be up to the city's presiding judge to decide whether to go even further and set the fine at $1.

"By setting the fine at just $1, we are sending a message to Denver officials that the era of citing adults for using a less harmful drug than alcohol is over. It's simply not worth the city's time or resources," said panel member and SAFER executive director Mason Tvert, who coordinated the successful Denver marijuana initiatives.

A Denver Police Department representative on the panel unsurprisingly voted against the proposal. "There's no indication that there's a problem with the fine schedule," said Lt. Ernesto Martinez. "The panel is going outside the bounds of the language of the ordinance."

But, in a sign of the times, Martinez appears to be the one out of step with the panel and public opinion in the Mile High City.
Click to expand...

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/599/denver_panel_one_dollar_marijuana_fine
 
this would happen in Colorado

thank god we are moving in the right direction
 
coincidentally, ski vacation packages in the area have just been booked solid for the next three and a half years
 
This is great news but those that do happen to be charged still get a drug offense, which to me is the more serious problem, especially if they have already been arrested for marijuana possession. That can stop you from getting jobs or getting financial aid for schooling. But getting rid of the charge completely will take about forever so let us celebrate this (hopefully) soon-to-be victory.
 
http://www.coloradodaily.com/ci_13211544 said:
The current fine schedule indicates a $50 fine for such offenses, plus a $100 drug surcharge required by the state of Colorado and a $10 "bureau fee."

Mason Tvert, a member of the panel and the executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, which has pushed decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, said state law requires the surcharge and the $10 bureau fee.

He said that if Presiding Judge Marcy Celeste accepts the recommendations, the penalty would still stand at $111.
Click to expand...

It's still illegal under state law, which carries a $100+$10 fine. However, prosecutions in Denver are down 20% this year.
 
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