Law that would reduce marijuana penalties needs your help

Published: May 6, 2003

A bill that would remove the threat of incarceration for first-time marijuana offenders in Michigan has stalled in the Senate Committee on Judiciary. We must ensure that nonviolent marijuana offenders are not sent to prison. Please contact the committee members and urge them to hold a committee hearing on S.B. 197.

Please visit Take Action. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to committee members … 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 your legislators through regular mail.

Under current Michigan law, first-time marijuana possession is punishable by up to 90 days in jail. The negative repercussions are significant: Not only does this violation create a criminal record for nonviolent offenders, but any marijuana conviction precludes individuals from qualifying for financial aid for college.

S.B. 197 would establish drug treatment instead of a criminal violation for first-time offenders. For the full text of this bill, see Bills Pending.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this on so that even more people can participate in reform.