Well, again, by your logic, NYMM, that law is the will of the people. There's no such thing as an approach (be it fines for possession or legalization of marijuana) that could just be a passion for an overzealous politician. Kinda reminds me of another overzealous political notion: the war on drugs itself.

Just because something is law doesn't necessarily mean the majority support it.

I say if more people actually knew what those penalties were, I'd bet the majority would say the punishment doesn't fit the crime.