FAQ
The Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy (CSMP)
What is the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy (CSMP)?
The CSMP is a statewide political action committee working to decriminalize adult personal possession of marijuana throughout Florida. The CSMP is now supporting municipal marijuana decriminalization initiatives in the cities of Miami Beach, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Orlando and Tallahassee.
The Sensible Marijuana Policy Amendment
What does “decriminalize adult personal possession of marijuana” mean?
The Sensible Marijuana Policy Amendment empowers police to issue a civil citation of no more than $100 for the possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana by an adult 21 years or older rather than processing a misdemeanor arrest. The Sensible Marijuana Policy Amendment also broadens the discretion of prosecutors to permit acceptance of a plea to a civil infraction when appropriate.
What is the current penalty for possessing 20 grams or less of marijuana?
Possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Florida's law prohibiting cannabis is the harshest in the nation.
What is the difference between "decriminalization" and "legalization?"
Decriminalization means that marijuana is prohibited but that police may issue a civil citation, similar to a traffic ticket, for possession of small amounts.
Legalization means that marijuana is not prohibited but is taxed and regulated like alcohol.
Have any other cities or states decriminalized marijuana?
Marijuana is presently decriminalized in 12 states — California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon. In these states, cultivation and distribution remain criminal offenses.
Cities that have decriminalized marijuana include Ann Arbor, MI, Denver, CO, Breckenridge, CO and Columbia, MS. Seattle, WA declared enforcement of marijuana laws to be the lowest police priority.
Does decriminalization lead to increased rates of usage?
Decriminalization (12 states, 30+ year history)
- "In sum, there is little evidence that decriminalization of marijuana use necessarily leads to a substantial increase in use" (U.S. National Academy of Science, 1999)
- "The available evidence indicates that the decriminalization of marijuana possession had little or no impact on rates of use. Although rates of marijuana use increased in those U.S. states [that] reduced maximum penalties for possession to a fine, the prevalence of use increased at similar or higher rates in those states [that] retained more severe penalties. There were also no discernible impacts on the health care systems. On the other hand, the so-called 'decriminalization' measures did result in substantial savings in the criminal justice system." (Journal of Public Health, 1989)
- "Overall, the preponderance of the evidence which we have gathered and examined points to the conclusion that decriminalization has had virtually no effect either on the marijuana use or on related attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use among American young people. The data show no evidence of any increase, relative to the control states, in the proportion of the age group who ever tried marijuana. In fact, both groups of experimental states showed a small, cumulative net decline in annual prevalence after decriminalization" (U.S. Institute for Social Research, 1981)
