Its not that its new but rather resurfaced in the public arena for discussion.
It has been in the books for years but not enforced. A few states have had people challenge it and it was upheld, yet mostly ignored after that. I read about it some time ago.
But isnt is an ass backwards law? A silly assumption to imagine people would comply.
It's more of just a way to grab at money from your pocket when you fail to comply. Another way to hit you. It was a good idea as far as it goes when it was put to law because it had the potential to contribute to the finances of the 'war on drugs'. For this I am suprised it wasnt used and overused. Grab some coin off every guy you pinch and put it into the coffers.
Our current version of that in Canada is that under 30 grams is decriminalized as personal use and you will get a fine for it. That money goes to the enforcement of narcotics laws.