To: The Pennsylvania State House, The Pennsylvania State Senate, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
I support statewide decriminalization of 30 grams or less of marijuana flower in Pennsylvania!
Representative Ed Gaineys' Bill HB2076 provides the framework for statewide decriminalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania. It allows for an individual to be in possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana and only receive a non traffic citation and be ordered to pay a fine not exceeding
one hundred dollars ($100). A conviction under this subsection shall not trigger the mandatory license suspension provisions under 75 Pa.C.S. ยง 1532(c)(relating to suspension of operating privilege
An individual would no longer receive the mandatory misdemeanor charge, mandatory minimum of up to 30 days in jail, multiple court appearances, high prosecution fees, and loss of their drivers license. By taking all this time of our judicial system we are spending less time prosecuting more violent offenders. Marijuana crimes are nonviolent, victim-less crimes. We have murders and shootings going unsolved.
Why is this important?
Too many people are being arrested, prosecuted, and criminalized by using and possessing cannabis. Marijuana laws need to change in Pennsylvania. We have four of our main regions of Pennsylvania currently trudging ahead on their own recourse to try and blaze the way for statewide legislation. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, and Harrisburg have all decriminalized locally. Each very different. Isn't it time we take this across the board? We have a heroin epidemic statewide we should be focused on. And in most cases, Cannabis; although a schedule 1 drug along with heroin: is far less harmful and can actually aid in opiate addiction withdraw. For more information please check out our website.