Pot Decriminalized in Connecticut: What You Need to Know

Connecticut: Marijuana Decriminalized on July 1

July 1, 2011 marks the first day that marijuana is decriminalized in the state of Connecticut. Note that this does not mean that pot is legal in CT.

Here's what you need to know:

• If you're caught by police with .49 ounce or less of marijuana, the cops will confiscate your pot and give you a $150 ticket. If you're under 18, your parents get notified. Ouch.
  
• If you're busted again, the fine goes up. By a lot.
• Three times busted, you hae to go to a drug treatment program.
• If you have 1/2 ounce or more of pot, or any other type of drug (including synthetics like K2), you face jail time and a fine of $1000.
• DUI is still illegal, no matter what substance you're on.
• If you're under 21, you can lose your driver's license for up to 150 days
  
• If you're busted with weed near a school, you're in deep sh&t.
  

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Read the Connecticut Marijuana Decrim Bill: SB 1014 (pdf) in its entirety.

Note that Connecticut police will be carrying precision scales in their cruisers. Be wary of this scenario, though: "You can pretty much eyeball it," said Vernon police Capt. Stephen Clark. "Most experienced officers can tell what's under half an ounce."

It is very easily disputable that a police officer can tell the difference between .49 ounce and .5 ounce just by eyeballing it.

Several other US states have passed some degree of cannabis decriminalization, though the amounts involved, restrictions, and penalties vary widely.