Calif.: Ask your assemblymember to downgrade the penalty for marijuana cultivation

Published: June 1, 2011

Assemblymember Tom Ammiano’s bill to allow more reasonable sentencing for marijuana cultivation has passed through the Assembly committee process and is now ready for a full chamber vote. Please take two minutes of your time to call and ask for your assemblymember’s support on this bill.

The bill – AB 1017 – would downgrade the penalty for marijuana cultivation from a mandatory felony to a “wobbler” – a discretionary felony or misdemeanor. Allowing a judge discretion in sentencing would reduce the chances that non-violent marijuana cultivators would be treated like dangerous and violent criminals. Judicial discretion when it comes to sentencing for marijuana cultivation is a step in the right direction, further eroding California’s harsh non-medical marijuana laws. Please call your assemblymember and advocate for sensible marijuana policy.

Although this bill does not remove criminal penalties for marijuana cultivation, it would at least allow a judge to be more lenient with people who grow marijuana. Please take a minute of your time to call your assemblymember and ask for his or her support.