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Sensible cannabis reforms need your support!
I write to you today to voice my support for HB 1028 and HB 774, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Glover. Last year, the legislature passed HB 652, which lowered penalties for simple cannabis possession. It seems logical to take the next step forward and allow a process for expungement for previous violations covered under this law. HB 1028 lowers penalties for the paraphernalia used for cannabis.
These two bills make sense to achieve the goal of equal justice for all. We have seen that cannabis prohibition has not been enforced equally. Expungement for minor possession charges will give everyone a clean slate to move forward with their lives.
Cannabis paraphernalia should not have a harsher penalty than the substance itself. Last session, the legislature took action to limit the damage that a possession charge could bring, so this bill would make the paraphernalia punishment fall in line with possession of the substance itself.
Please vote YES on these bills. They are smart solutions for sensible criminal justice reform, and I ask you to support them.
I support common sense criminal justice reform
I felt it necessary to write today to voice my support for HB 676. This bill would not allow the enhanced penalties used for habitual offenders to be used in cannabis possession cases. We have heard for years that people are not in the prison system for minor cannabis charges and this would codify those statements.
Enhanced penalties levied using the habitual offender statute were meant to punish criminals who pose a threat to society. Last year, the legislature passed HB 652, which took jail off the table for minor cannabis offenses. It makes sense that we would not use enhanced penalties in conjunction with cases like these.
Can I count on you to support this legislation? These types of criminal justice reforms have had strong bipartisan support in the past. I ask that you vote YES on HB 676.