Ask your legislators to reduce marijuana penalties to lower the state's budget deficit

Published: January 28, 2003

Utah's well-publicized budget woes have led Gov. Leavitt to consider freeing 400 convicted felons by March 1. With an estimated $117 million shortfall this fiscal year, the state must consider all available options for saving money.

In Utah, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, and those found guilty of possessing larger amounts can spend between one and 15 years in prison. Sale of any amount of marijuana is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Because it costs the state between $20,000 and $25,000 annually to house a single prisoner, even a handful of marijuana prisoners are too costly for Utah's taxpayers to maintain.

Only you can influence your legislators to reduce penalties for marijuana possession. Please take a few minutes to take action now. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically determine who your state senator and delegate are and e-mail your letter to them … all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes but makes a world of difference.

Reforming Utah's draconian marijuana laws would be the logical first step in assuring that nonviolent marijuana offenders stay out of prison and violent felons remain in prison. Keeping even a few nonviolent marijuana prisoners out of jail could add up to substantial savings for Utah and its taxpayers.

A fiscal analysis done in 2001 by the Texas legislature found that Texas would save more than $40 million over five years by treating the possession of small amounts of marijuana as a civil violation, an offense punishable by a small fine and no jail time. The plan would have also reduced Texas' harsh penalties for sale and cultivation of marijuana. Utah, like Texas, could save millions by implementing reduced marijuana penalties.