Californians!!!!!!

[Pinch]

URGENT: California Assembly about to vote on increasing marijuana fines

Sometime in the next two days, the assembly will vote on a bill that would likely more than double the fine for possessing a small amount of marijuana — from $100 to $250. When the assembly considered hiking up fines for responsible marijuana users in 2004, more than 450 Marijuana Policy Project supporters raised a ruckus, and the assembly defeated the bill. It's time to show our strength again ...

Click here to urge your assembly member to vote against S.B. 797. Then, please urge your friends and family to do the same by forwarding them this link: https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/mail/onec...lertid=8994146

Under the bill, the penalty for second offense possession would increase from $100 to $250. The bill is ambiguous about whether first offense possession would remain $100 or be raised to $250. Because California law tacks on additional assessment fees — some of which are proportionate to the fines — this change would increase the costs for some defendants by more than $500!

The bill would also make the first offense possession of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana an infraction rather than a misdemeanor and would allow the prosecutor to choose whether to charge the second offense as an infraction or misdemeanor.

California prosecutors have lined up behind this bill since it would increase fines and make it far easier to get marijuana convictions. While changing marijuana possession to an infraction may have some advantages, it also has a serious downside: Defendants charged with infractions don't have the right to a public defender or a trial by jury, though defendants charged with misdemeanors do.

If the California Legislature wants to save money on prosecuting marijuana users, it should take its cue from forward-thinking cities: In 2004, Oakland voters made marijuana offenses their city's lowest law enforcement priority and called for marijuana to be taxed and regulated. In June, the West Hollywood City Council declared marijuana offenses a low police priority. And on November 7, voters in Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara will be voting on de-prioritizing marijuana offenses. Santa Cruz's initiative also calls on the state to tax and regulate marijuana. (If you live in one of these cities and would like to get involved, please e-mail Karen@mpp.org.)

Time is short: Don't forget to Take Action and ask your assembly member to oppose raising marijuana fines before it's too late. Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this information — and the link to the action — on so that others can speak out for reform.

[HappyKitty]

Thanks for posting this information, Pinch.

I just went to this link, and it's a very easy form to fill out. It took maybe all of one minute to put my two cents in.

I love this site because it is an every changing wealth of information. I would have never know about this, or many other issues, had information not been provided by the good people, just like you, Pinch, here at 420.

Thanks again, peace and happiness

[Pinch]

Why, thank you Ms Kitty..

[Pinch]

Thanks Mr GS!

[Spliff Twister]

sent...little bummed because its really all i can do as im not allowed to vote till 2008

[Pinch]

Well, kudos for you! Thanks.

[Marek]

done

[Pinch]

Thanks!

[HappyKitty]

This was the letter I received back from my legislator on this subject.

Thank you for taking the time to contact your legislators. Without activists like you, reform is
not possible.

Be assured that your voice does and will continue to make a difference.

When you hear back from each legislator, please e-mail his or her response to me at
state@mpp.org so that MPP can lobby your legislators more effectively.

With your help, we can help reform California's marijuana laws. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Karen O'Keefe
Assistant Director of State Policies


Peace and happiness

[Pinch]

We won this battle.. now for the WAR!

Yeah for us!