By Elissa Bass
On Tuesday, the City of New London’s new mayor, Daryl Finizio, signed an executive order telling city police officers they should no longer issue an infraction or violation to anyone who possesses marijuana or associated paraphernalia on private property.
On Wednesday, the New London State’s Attorney said Finizio did not have the authority to do that.
In June, Connecticut became the 14th state to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana after the General Assembly approved changes to the laws. Under the new law, “possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana as an infraction with a $150 fine, rather than as a criminal misdemeanor. The fine would increase to $200 to $500 for subsequent offenses, with referral to a drug education program after the third violation. Offenders under age 21 would also lose their driver’s license for 60 days and juveniles 16 years of age and under will be referred to juvenile court.”
Gov. Dannel Malloy signed the law.
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http://meriden.patch.com/articles/poll-should-police-enforce-the-marijuana-possession-law