Vt. residents: Ask your representative to support marijuana decriminalization bill

We have an exciting opportunity this year to stop the senseless and wasteful policy of arresting Vermonters for simple marijuana possession. Rep. David Zuckerman (P-Burlington) is going to introduce legislation to reduce the penalty for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana from up to six months in jail to a $100 civil fine. Please contact your representative now and urge him or her to co-sponsor this sensible legislation.

If you live in the district of one of the members of the House Judiciary Committee, your contact could be particularly important. Here are the committee members:

Rep. William Lippert (D-Hinesburg), Chair
Rep. Maxine Jo Grad (D-Moretown), Vice-Chair
Rep. Margaret Flory (R-Pittsford)
Rep. Andrew Donaghy (R-Poultney)
Rep. Eldred French (D-Shrewsbury)
Rep. Willem Jewett (D-Ripton)
Rep. Patti Komline (R-Dorset)
Rep. Richard Marek (D-Newfane)
Rep. Cynthia Martin (D-Springfield), Clerk
Rep. Kathy Pellett (D-Chester)
Rep. Heidi Scheuermann (D-Stowe)

If you live in one of these towns, please call the Vermont State House switchboard operator at (802) 828-2228, but only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and ask to speak to your representative. The message to your representative can be simple:

Hello, my name is _________ and I live in ___________, Vermont. Please co-sponsor Rep. David Zuckerman's bill to make minor possession of marijuana punishable by a civil fine. This is a sensible change to our law. Thank you.

Last year, a bill that lowered the penalties for simple possession of marijuana easily passed the Vermont Senate on a 22-7 vote. This year, MPP has retained lobbyists and given a grant to the Vermont Alliance for Intelligent Drug Laws (VALID) in order to build on that support. We're hopeful Vermont will follow Massachusetts' lead, where 65% of voters passed a similar law. Rep. Zuckerman's bill can pass; but for that to happen Vermonters who support sensible marijuana policy need to speak up.

Please help now by asking your state representative to co-sponsor Rep. Zuckerman's bill.

Thank you for supporting MPP and our allies. We will continue to keep you informed on our efforts to pass the marijuana decriminalization bill this year. Please pass this alert to your friends, family, and e-mail lists in Vermont.