cannabisnews.com: Gov. Rell Opposes Marijuana Decriminalization





Gov. Rell Opposes Marijuana Decriminalization
Posted by CN Staff on March 30, 2009 at 10:30:45 PT
By Christopher Keating
Source: Hartford Courant
Connecticut --  Gov. M. Jodi Rell is opposed to the decriminalization of marijuana - a highly controversial issue that could come up for a committee vote in the legislature as soon as today.Some Democratic legislators have been pushing hard this year for a decriminalization of less than one ounce of marijuana, and Rell had not previously voiced a public view on the bill. Two of Rell's spokesmen stopped short Monday of using the word "veto,'' but they both said that Rell opposes the concept.
"The governor opposes illegal drug use and possession,'' said spokesman Rich Harris. "Whether it's a little or a lot, marijuana is an illegal drug.''Rell had previously vetoed a bill that would have legalized the medical use of marijuana in June 2007, saying that she - as a cancer survivor - had sympathy for those who wanted to use marijuana for pain management. But she said her sympathy could not overcome her concerns that those seeking to obtain the drug would need to break the law to purchase it. The medical marijuana bill passed by 89 to 58 in the state House of Representatives and by 23 to 13 in the Senate, and both chambers fell shy in 2007 of the two-thirds margin needed to override a veto.This year's bill would reduce the penalty for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana - from the current misdemeanor to an infraction with a maximum fine of $121.The legislature's judiciary committee was still in caucus at 12:30 p.m. Monday, but the committee's longtime co-chairman, Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, said there is a "50 - 50'' chance that a vote will be held this afternoon."I think the votes are definitely there,'' Lawlor said in a telephone interview. "I think even some of the Republicans will vote for it.''Source: Hartford Courant (CT)Author: Christopher KeatingPublished: March 30, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Hartford CourantContact: letters courant.comWebsite: http://www.courant.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/6H7verFzRelated Articles:Decriminalize Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24639.shtmlSenate Leader Backs Pot Decriminalization Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24620.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 31, 2009 at 08:08:08 PT
Republican Caligiuri Announces Senate Bid
Excerpt: During his 2 1/2 years in the state Senate, Caligiuri has voted against a bill permitting the use of medical marijuana and been one of the legislature's most vocal supporters of tougher sentencing laws for violent offenders. He has also been a reliably conservative vote, winning high marks from the Family Institute of Connecticut.URL: http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-web-dodd-caligiuri-opponentapr01,0,6022891.story
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 31, 2009 at 05:33:28 PT
potpal
I like Jack. He was on Jon Stewart last night. I feel bad for him losing his wife of many years so suddenly too.
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Comment #7 posted by potpal on March 31, 2009 at 05:19:29 PT
insanity
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/cafferty.legal.drugs/index.html Cafferty leaves out the obvious facts, how the war on drugs corrupts all those he mentions, the sheriffs, police, lawyers, judges, prison guards...big time. Maybe even Governors, lots of money in this insidious game to go around. Those against dicriminalization are playing on the side of the black market cartels actually, keeping the ball in their court.
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Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on March 30, 2009 at 15:03:20 PT
Mutiny is called for
I hope there's a Republican uprising, if the Dems all vote yes they won't need many Republican votes to override the Wicked Witch of the East.Keep in mind her Republican governor predecessor was run out of office for taking bribes, he actually served jail time.But it's us, the little tax-paying guy, that needs to be beaten down by armed thugs for using some herb. What a great "leader"
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on March 30, 2009 at 13:46:03 PT
"Whether it's a little or a lot,.....
.......marijuana is an illegal drug.''Thanks for explaining that complex part of the argument for keeping cannabis illegal Governor.Honestly, that is the very reason we are having discussions about legalization, no?! Is this her attempt at an intellectual appeal for her side of the argument?? Why bother to make a statement if all you can say is something foolish?
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Comment #4 posted by George Servantes on March 30, 2009 at 12:51:46 PT
Rell
Nobody should be put in jail for drug possession. It's cruel and so stupid. With ignorant government officials like this we are doomed to suffer as society in general.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 30, 2009 at 12:41:56 PT
heretic 
That's great. I wish you the best of luck. 
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Comment #2 posted by heretic on March 30, 2009 at 12:39:10 PT:
FYI I got my first blog up
I've reduced my word-count, so as not to exceed people's attention spans. I've emailed it to my congresspeople, to bloggers, to reporters, to editors, to columnists, posted it on message boards. I snail-mailed it to the house committee on civil liberties. 
Peace on the home front
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on March 30, 2009 at 11:23:00 PT
Rell can go to .......................
 another place!
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