Help end life sentences for Rhode Island marijuana offenders

Published: June 25, 2007

Can you imagine spending the rest of your life in prison for possessing marijuana -- a substance that has never been shown to cause an overdose death? Some Rhode Islanders can. Possessing more than five kilograms of a substance containing any amount of marijuana can result in life in state prison. And possessing between one and five kilograms of a substance containing any amount of marijuana will land a Rhode Islander in prison for up to 50 years.

Late last week, the Rhode Island General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to give judges more discretion and to reduce these draconian sentences. The twin bills -- S207 and H5127 -- could be transmitted to Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) at any time (perhaps even before this arrives in your inbox). If you think nonviolent marijuana offenders shouldn’t be locked up for longer than many murderers and child molesters, please raise your voice now:

Contact Gov. Carcieri to ask him to sign these sensible bills into law. You can write him via http://www.governor.ri.gov/contact/ or call him at (401) 222-2080. Please ask him to sign S207 and H5127 into law. You can let him know that locking up nonviolent marijuana offenders for decades is a waste of resources. The longest sentences should be reserved for violent and dangerous criminals.

S207 and H5127 would reduce the maximum sentence for possessing or delivering one to five kilograms with a detectable amount of marijuana from 50 years in prison to 20 years. The maximum sentence for possessing or delivering more than five kilograms with a detectable amount of marijuana would be reduced from life in prison to 30 years.

Under current law, a judge must sentence the defendant to at least 10 years in prison for possessing or delivering one to five kilograms of a substance with marijuana, and to at least 20 years for more than five kilograms. The only exception is if the judge specifies “substantial and compelling circumstances" which justify the "imposition of an alternative sentence.” S207 and H5127 would also eliminate these excessive mandatory minimum sentences.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Harold Metts, and Rep. Joseph Almeida, received votes of 32-2 in the Senate and 54-6 in the House. The sentencing reductions would also apply to other drug offenses.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this on to your friends and family, to help improve Rhode Island’s marijuana policies.