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RainDog

(28,784 posts) Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:22 AM Jun 2012

Rhode Island Governor Signs Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana

http://www.necn.com/06/13/12/RI-Gov-signs-bill-decriminalizing-mariju/landing_politics.html?&apID=d23b3c0b39ce4baf99589244bb8049f4

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has signed legislation rolling back criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Chafee announced the signing Wednesday night after the General Assembly ended its formal session. Chafee, an independent, had been expected to sign the bill into law.

Adults caught with an ounce or less of marijuana would face a $150 civil fine. Minors would also have to complete a drug awareness program and community service.

The previous state law made possession of small amounts of marijuana a misdemeanor. Violators had faced possible jail time and fines up to $500.

So, we now have 15 states that have decriminalized possession of limited amounts of marijuana and 17 states, plus DC, that have legalized medical marijuana (sometimes these states overlap, btw.)

Also - 7 States have pending mmj legislation as of June 2012.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/06/13/498675/seven-more-states-may-legalize-medical-marijuana-in-2012/

Two states have legalization amendments on the ballot for 2012 - CO, WA.

People in Oregon are seeking signatures for 2 different ballot intiatives.

http://cannabistaxact.org/
http://endprohibitionagain.com/

4 replies

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Rhode Island Governor Signs Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana (Original Post) RainDog Jun 2012 OP

Is this Governor in Trouble or just able to get a lot done? I only ask because he also sign the lookingfortruth Jun 2012 #1

I like Lincoln Chafee better than I like some Democrats DisgustipatedinCA Jun 2012 #2

sometimes republicans in the north are more liberal than some democrats RainDog Jun 2012 #3

I like Chafee jpbollma Jun 2012 #4

lookingfortruth

(263 posts)

1. Is this Governor in Trouble or just able to get a lot done? I only ask because he also sign the

Reply to RainDog (Original post)

Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:24 AM

Jun 2012

Homeless person Bill of Rights.

Just two major bills coming so closely makes one wonder what's going on in RI

DisgustipatedinCA

(12,530 posts)

2. I like Lincoln Chafee better than I like some Democrats

Reply to lookingfortruth (Reply #1)

Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:26 AM

Jun 2012

He was a senator from R.I., and one of the only Republicans to go against GWBush on a semi-regular basis.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)

3. sometimes republicans in the north are more liberal than some democrats

Reply to lookingfortruth (Reply #1)

Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:34 AM

Jun 2012

in other parts of the nation.

this has been the case for a while.

Zell Miller had his hissy fit because he said the Democratic party didn't want his sort of conservatism in the party. He was Newties campaign manager this time around. Before that he supported Bush over Kerry - so, you know, pardon my french, but fuck that asshole Zell Miller.

Chafee left the Republican Party because it had gotten too looney tunes for him by 2007.

jpbollma

(552 posts)

4. I like Chafee

Reply to RainDog (Original post)

Thu Jun 14, 2012, 02:30 AM

Jun 2012

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