Tenn.: Senate debates marijuana decriminalization bill

Published: May 27, 2009

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee deferred action on SB 1942, which would make possessing or distributing less than one-eighth of an ounce (about 3.5 grams) of marijuana a Class A misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of between $250 to $2,500. Currently, possession or distribution of this amount is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

SB 1942 is now awaiting further action, so please contact your senator today and ask him or her to support this sensible legislation. Let your senator know it's time for Tennessee to stop wasting its resources and jail space locking up non-violent marijuana users.

We need as many people sending e-mails in support of SB 1942 as possible, so please pass this alert along to anyone else you know in Tennessee who supports keeping responsible adults out of jail for using a substance that is safer than alcohol.

You can also help create support for this legislation by submitting a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project and all of our allies.