Urge Gov. Blanco to veto marijuana sentencing bill

Should sentencing people to even longer terms for marijuana offenses be a legislative priority?

Apparently, the Louisiana Legislature thinks so. Today, it sent Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) H.B. 1132, which would increase the maximum penalties for possession of marijuana by people with certain prior marijuana convictions.

But marijuana possession is far less harmful to society than lengthy prison sentences. Long sentences tear apart families, waste tax dollars, and cause extreme suffering. Please urge Gov. Blanco to veto this bill—let her know that her constituents believe marijuana penalties should be decreased, not increased.

Please take a few moments to Take Action. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to Gov. Blanco … all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference. Also, you can print the letters and send them to the governor through regular mail.

Under present law, someone with a prior conviction for growing marijuana could be sentenced to up to six months in prison for his or her first marijuana possession offense. If Gov. Blanco signs H.B. 1132, that same person could be sentenced to up to five years' incarceration for the possession conviction.

Currently, possessing marijuana with intent to sell it, growing marijuana, and distributing marijuana are all punishable by five to 30 years of incarceration. The sentence for the first conviction for possessing marijuana is up to six months incarceration, a fine of up to $500, or both. A second possession conviction is punishable by up to five years of incarceration, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. A third or subsequent conviction for possession is punishable by up to 20 years incarceration.

H.B. 1132—sponsored by Reps. Rick Farrar (D-37th House District) and Francis Thompson (D-19th House District)—would count a conviction for growing, dispensing, or possessing marijuana with intent to sell it as a first possession conviction, for the sole purpose of determining whether a possession conviction is a first, second, third, or subsequent offense.

Unfortunately, almost the entire Louisiana Legislature voted for this bill. H.B. 1132 passed the Senate in a unanimous 37-0 vote. It passed the House by 95-1. Rep. Derrick Shepherd (D-87th House District) cast the lone "no" vote.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this information on so that even more voices for reform can be heard.