Support marijuana decriminalization
Last update: June 2, 2009
The Vermont Legislature has ended the 2009 session. Rep. David Zuckerman (P-Burlington) has introduced H.150 and Sen. Jeanette White (D-Putney) has introduced S.71. These companion bills would reduce the penalty for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana from up to six months in jail to a $100 civil fine. Although the legislature put other priorities first this session, both bills are still alive and the legislature can consider them when it reconvenes in January.
It's important that your legislators hear from you now so they know that reforming Vermont's marijuana laws should be a priority next year. Please contact your representative now and urge him or her to support this sensible legislation.
The Vermont Alliance for Intelligent Drug Laws, an MPP grantee, is continuing to organize a grassroots coalition so Vermont's legislators recognize it's time to change the state's draconian marijuana laws.
Write a letter to the editor in support of marijuana decriminalization
The initial introduction of the decriminalization bills received good coverage in the Vermont media. An excellent way for legislators to see that their constituents support H.150 and S.71 is to write a letter to the editor. Legislators constantly check the opinion pages of the local newspapers to see what people are saying. If you would like help writing a letter, please e-mail MPP at state@mpp.org.
Additionally, it will be important for the legislature to hear from people who have been negatively affected by the state's harsh marijuana laws. If you have been arrested for simple possession of a small amount of marijuana in Vermont, please e-mail state@mpp.org. If you are a lawyer, law enforcement official, or clergy member, or know someone who is, please e-mail state@mpp.org because you could be particularly influential in the lobbying effort.
Widespread support for marijuana policy reform
According to a January 2009 Mason-Dixon poll, 63 percent of Vermont voters support "a change in the law to provide for a $100 civil fine without jail time for those who possess an ounce or less of marijuana for personal use." In November 2008 Massachusetts voters passed a law similar to the one introduced in Vermont today with 65 percent of the vote.
Additionally, the poll suggests that a plurality of Vermont voters would actually go much further in reforming the state's marijuana laws. Forty-nine percent of the respondents said they would favor "making marijuana legal for adults over 21, and regulating it similarly to alcohol," while only 37 percent said they would oppose the idea.
Progress in 2008
During the 2008 session, the Vermont Senate passed a marijuana policy reform bill on a bipartisan 22-7 vote. The bill, S.238, would have removed the possibility of jail for first- and second-time offenders caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. It also would have required that prosecutors offer them "court diversion," which allows them to completely clear their record if they complete some drug education classes and community service. Unfortunately, the bill stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.
Stay connected
To stay updated on the status of marijuana policy reform in Vermont, be sure to subscribe to MPP's free alert service.
Financial assistance for registration fee
Additionally, the new law reduces the nonrefundable annual application fee from $100 to $50. Although the registry fee was reduced, it is still more than some patients can afford. Patients who make below 150% of the poverty line or less, or have other circumstances that require assistance, can apply for MPP to cover their registry ID fees.
If you have any further questions about the new law, you can contact MPP by e-mailing state@mpp.org.
