Act now to block increased marijuana penalties in California

TO: MPP supporter
FROM: Adam Horowitz, MPP legislative analyst

The California Senate recently approved S.B. 797, a bill that would more than double
the fine for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, from $100 to $250. The
bill, which has just arrived in the California Assembly and will soon be assigned to
a committee, would also allow prosecutors to downgrade a first offense from a
misdemeanor to a criminal infraction.

The bill has picked up momentum in passing through the Senate, but it can still be
stopped. Please visit
https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7671746 to write to your
Assembly member and tell him or her to oppose S.B. 797. In just a few clicks, you
can send a pre-written letter or e-mail to your legislator.

While increasing fines is obviously alarming -- as it can mean jail time for
defendants who cannot afford to pay them -- you may wonder why the Marijuana Policy
Project also opposes allowing prosecutors to downgrade a first offense to a criminal
infraction. Well, a complete downgrade could be beneficial, but this bill would make
marijuana possession a "wobblet," meaning prosecutors could choose to charge
offenders either with criminal infractions or with misdemeanors. If a prosecutor
chooses to charge a defendant with a misdemeanor, the defendant will still maintain
the right to a public defender and a trial by jury. Conversely, when charged with a
criminal infraction, a defendant loses these rights. When charged with criminal
infractions, many low-income offenders -- who cannot afford legal representation --
may be unjustly found guilty. In short, this could mean higher conviction rates
throughout the state. Please take action to oppose S.B. 797 by visiting
https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7671746 now.

After you've written your Assembly member, please follow up with a call. Visit
https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/dbq/officials/?lvl=L to find your legislator's contact
information. It takes only a few moments to call and politely say the following:

"I recently wrote to you expressing my opposition to S.B. 797. I hope that you will
oppose S.B. 797 too. Thank you for your time."

Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) -- S.B. 797's sponsor -- may
have good intentions behind this bill, but increased fines and conviction rates will
only harm Californians. In just a few minutes, you can make a tremendous difference
in protecting responsible adults from this harsh legislation.

Please take action by visiting
https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7671746 today.

In other news, three California counties -- Amador, Del Norte, and Mendocino -- have
begun issuing identification cards for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, in
a pilot program under the California Department of Health's supervision. Trinity
County will begin its program in a few weeks, and the state is expected to expand
the program to other counties by the end of the year.

MPP favors the voluntary medical marijuana ID card program. Registry ID cards make
it easy for law enforcement to quickly determine that a patient has his or her
doctor's recommendation. This helps prevent the detention and arrest of legitimate
patients. Please visit http://mpp.org/CA/news.html, for more information.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please forward this message
to friends and family around the state. With your help, we can further marijuana
policy reform in California.

====================================================================The Marijuana
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