Next steps in pot policy

NORML's planning it's next steps:

This week, Massachusetts became the 13th state in the country to decriminalize marijuana when voters approved Question 2 on the ballot, which made getting caught with less than an ounce of marijuana punishable by a civil fine of $100.

The change in the law means someone found carrying multiple joints will no longer be reported to the state's criminal history board. The law will require those younger than age 18 to complete a drug awareness program and community service, and for those who don't, the fine will increase to as much as $1,000.

The vote in Massachusetts follows a form of decriminalization that passed seven years ago in Nevada, where it remains a felony for anyone under age 21 to possess marijuana. The other states - Maine, New York, California, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska - decriminalized marijuana in the 1970s, according to NORML.

13 states have similar laws? Where possession of small amounts is punishable by fine only? I didn't know it was that many. If this is accurate and there are 11 states with similar laws dating back to the 1970s, why aren't we hearing more about the impact (ot lack thereof) of state law on use by young people and age of first use?

They [advocates] cited a bill introduced in the spring by Representative Barney
Frank, which would decriminalize possession of marijuana in amounts of
3.5 ounces or less anywhere in the United States. The bill, if it
became law, would end federal prosecution of such crimes, but it would
not supersede state laws.

The advocates said they hope the bill would lead to hearings and spark more support from fellow lawmakers in the coming session.

"We
anticipate the bill will be reintroduced fairly early in the next
session," said Keith Stroup, legal counsel and founder of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which has long
lobbied for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. "Then
what we expect is that we will be able to get legislative hearings this
session, and maybe a vote on the floor of the House."

He said his organization, which helped Frank draft his bill, is looking for a sponsor in the Senate.