Title:
UPDATE: Last chance to urge a “yes” vote on marijuana bills
Message:
The Assembly and Senate only have until the end of the day Tuesday
(tomorrow) to move these bills. If you have not done so already, email your
legislators and ask that they support AB
1017 and SB
129!
Last year, two bills that would improve California’s
marijuana policies were placed on the inactive calendar so they could be voted
on this January. Both of these bills have been pulled from the inactive file
and are primed for a vote in their respective chambers.
The first bill is AB 1017, introduced by Assemblymember Tom
Ammiano. This bill would change the penalty for marijuana cultivation from an
automatic felony to a “wobbler,” meaning that judges and prosecutors would be
given the option of charging as a misdemeanor if they believe the facts support
that decision. Unfortunately, the bill failed its first Assembly vote, but
luckily it is being given a second chance. Please
find out how your assemblymember voted and then send a message asking him
or her to either continue supporting the bill, rethink his or her opposition to
it, or support the bill for the first time.
The second bill is SB 129, introduced by Sen. Mark Leno and
sponsored by Americans for Safe Access. This bill would protect the employment
rights of medical marijuana patients by stating that an individual cannot be fired
for simply being a patient or having marijuana metabolites in his or her system,
unless the person has a safety sensitive job. Please
email your senator and ask him or her to support this vital legislation.
Thanks so much for your support of sensible marijuana reform
in the Golden State.
