Getting caught with an ounce or less of marijuana used to mean possible jail time in California. Starting in January, it'll be more like getting a speeding ticket.

The governor's spokesman, Aaron McLear says it's still illegal to possess marijuana without a medical license. But he says having such a minor offense as a misdemeanor costs the state too much.

"What this will do is make sure the money that we have in the Court system is steered toward more serious crimes than a small amount of pot."

A group that supports the legalization of recreational pot use, the Drug Policy Alliance, says the bill removes the stamp of criminality for low level possession.