Chron editorial stretches bounds of logic

As we talked about a while back, an area legislator wants to reduce the penalties for marijuana possession. Now the editors of the Chronicle have jumped on board in a terribly written editorial:

If marijuana were water, an ounce of it would fit into 2 tablespoons.

Yeah, and if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his ass a-hoppin'. What does the relative density of marijuana have to do with anything? But that pales in comparison to this reasoning:

Reducing the penalty for tiny amounts of weed is not decriminalization. It's a sensible maneuver that could help relieve the overextended probation system and the crowded local and state jails. It would keep some first-offenders from having their prospects marred by a criminal record.

First of all, an ounce of marijuana isn't a tiny amount. We're talking $200 worth of pot. Secondly, if it's not decriminalization, how would it avoid people from being "marred by a criminal record?" Hmm?