Yet another state can be added to the growing list of those decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Connecticut’s state legislature signed off on a bill yesterday that would bring the state up to par along with around a dozen other states across the country, where the simple possession of marijuana is lo longer a criminal offense.

Governer Dannel Malloy has promised to sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk, the proposed measure would make the possession of a half an ounce or less of marijuana similar to receiving a speeding ticket. First time offenders would face a fine of $150 and subsequent offenses would range from $200 to no more than $500. Malloy says that the passage of the bill “accepts the reality that the current law does more harm than good – both in the impact it has on people’s lives and the burden it places on police, prosecutors and probation officers of the criminal justice system.”

Of course not everyone was on board with the change, the most common argument against decriminalization is the claim of marijuana use tends to be a gateway to use of more harmful drugs. However that is a debate for another time.