[Mtnorml-list] TODAY: Urge legislators to support HB-541

[Montana NORML]

Friends,

I need your help today. This is important:

Tomorrow morning, the House Judiciary Committee will hear about HB-541, 
a bill which would remove criminal penalties for possession of small 
amounts of marijuana. Possession of one ounce or less would be subject 
to a $50 fine similar to a parking ticket.

Today's the day to contact all the members of the House Judiciary 
Committee who will be considering the bill tomorrow morning. Here's what 
you can do:

** Show Up: Tuesday March 10th, 8AM, Room 137

** Call: 406-444-4800

Ask to leave a message for all members of the HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. 
  Your message can be simply "Please support HB-541", or something 
longer like "Please support HB-541 for Safer, Smarter law enforcement 
priorities".


** Email: http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp

Here are the members it is especially important that we all contact:

·         Rep. Mike Menehan, D-Helena
·         Rep. Bob Ebinger, D-Livingston
·         Rep. Ken Peterson, R-Billings
·         Rep. Michael More, R-Gallatin Gateway
·         Rep. Bob Wagner, R-Harrison
·         Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell


The full list of Judiciary Committee members is here: 
http://leg.mt.gov/css/House/house%20committees.asp

In politely urging each member to support HB-541, here's some 
information prepared by our friends at CRCP (responsiblecrimepolicy.org) 
you may wish to share:

·         Montana is spending far too many tax dollars to 
arrest/prosecute people for having small amounts of marijuana – this is 
a failed policy that has had no effect on marijuana use, but that does 
destroy lives and create other social costs.

·         HB 541 would free up time and other resources for law 
enforcement, prosecutors and courts to focus more on violence and 
property crimes, too many of which go unsolved and more of which could 
be prevented by redirecting our priorities.

·         It’s time to try decriminalizing minor marijuana possession – 
13 other states have done it, many dating back to the 1970s, and 
research has found no increases in use along with decreases in other 
crimes, all on top of saved or redirected tax dollars.


·         More money should focus on violent and property crime – minor 
marijuana possession by adults should NOT be a spending priority, and no 
positive purpose is served by criminalizing it.  It is time to try a new 
approach.


·         Most important, it is time for this issue to receive a full 
debate and vote on the floor of the House.  Vote against it on the floor 
if the facts ultimately lead you to that conclusion – but give Montanans 
the courtesy of allowing a full airing and consideration of this proposal.


Read the bill here: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0541.htm


Please take action today.


Onwards,

John Masterson
Montana NORML
http://www.montananorml.org/ (new site!)