Reduce Penalties for Marijuana Possesion

I myself am a former marijuana user and I was convicted in 2005 of Possession of Marijuana in the 2nd degree. The only reason I was pulled over was because I supposedly ran a red light (when in actuallity it was still yellow).

Marijuana was not the cause of me running that light. However, due to my conviction and a criminal record that came along with it I am now looked at in the same light as a crackhead, junkie, or a robber. I am none of these. Never have I needed or wanted marijuana so bad that I would steal, rob, or kill for it.

The penalty for possession of marijuana is extremely too steep. When I was arrested, I had less than a gram of marijuana actually it was more like 3/4 of a gram. It was already rolled up in a cigar and it was already lit and put out. I don't blame the conviction on marijuana but poor judgment on my part. It has been plenty of times before and after I smoked marijuana that I have ran red lights and rolled through stop signs. That decision had nothing to do with marijuana. However, I was penalized and I am now looked at as a criminal or junkie.

Please understand this is not for legalization but a reduction on the penalty for possession. I don't mean pounds or ounces. 3 to 4 grams shouldn't get you arrested and placed on probation for 1st or 2nd time offenders.