Title:
Act now, decriminalization bill introduced
Message:
As promised, Representative Jason Lorber (D-Chittenden) has
introduced H.
427, legislation that would decriminalize possession of up to one ounce of
marijuana in Vermont. If passed, Lorber’s bill would remove criminal penalties
and make possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a civil, rather than
criminal, offense, subject to a fine of up to $150.
Please call or
e-mail
your elected officials and ask them to support this long-overdue reform.
Prospects are much better than in years past. The bill has
tri-partisan sponsorship thanks to Representatives Adam Howard (R-Lamoille) and
Chris Pearson (P-Chittenden), and the sponsors welcomed significant input from
the Department of Public Safety to avoid opposition from the law enforcement
community. Most importantly, the bill enjoys the support of new governor Pete
Shumlin.
Still, there are no guarantees. H. 427 won’t be passed
unless people like you act. It takes literally two minutes to call your
representative and ask him or her to support the bill. If two minutes is
too long, take 30 seconds to send
an e-mail.
Finally, if you or someone you know has ever been convicted
of misdemeanor marijuana possession, please e-mail
me – legislators need to hear your story.
