Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in California has signed into law Senate Bill 1449 which reduces marijuana charges from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2011.
Norml.org: Senate Bill 1449 amends the California Health and Safety Code so that the adult possession of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana is classified as an infraction, punishable by no more than a $100 fine — no court appearance, no court costs, and no criminal record.
Passage of this bill will save the state millions of dollars in court costs by keeping minor marijuana offenders out of court. The number of misdemeanor pot arrests has surged in recent years, reaching 61,388 in 2008.
wish florida would do the same