Gearing Up!

Okay folks! I've heard from  many of you that you want sensible marijuana policy. Some want to promote a tax and regulate system ( which makes total sense to me) and I've done quite a bit of work on that in the past here in Vermont, and some of you are more supportive of decriminalizing MJ.

Whatever specific outcome you favor, one thing is for sure, we need your help! We will be introducing a bill in the upcoming session that will replace criminal penalties with civil fines for adult possession of small amounts of marijuana. There is a lot to do to get the attention of lawmakers as they will have their hands full with budget cuts, improving the sex offender laws, and gay marriage.

Now more than ever we will need solid grassroots support. Sign up on VALID's website to help us out. Let us know what your thinking and what you can do to help.

I'll post a copy of the proposed bill very soon. Keep an eye out!

Nancy

VALID website up and running!

Hi everyone! I wanted to let you know that our website is up and running. www.validvt.org. Check it out!'

Also, I had a great time visiting the Drugs and Society class at UVM today. Lots of great dialogue and interest from the students. 

Some people are wondering why I am asking folks to weigh in on the Massachusetts decrim initiative that just passed--when we live in Vermont! I asked this because I wanted to start the conversation in Vermont--between Vermonters, what they thought about this-- and how they would feel about having a bill like it passed in Vermont. I pointed to MA as a conversation starter.

So, what do you think?  Good for VT? Make Sense? 

MASS PASSES DECRIM!

Well, the voters in Massachusetts have spoken! What do you think about that? 

We'll have a lot to blog about as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session in Vermont! 

C'mon, share your thoughts. Is Vermont ready?

Nancy

Welcome to VALID!

 Welcome to the VALID blog!  I feel hopeful as I write this (on election day!) that starting very soon we will have a chance for meaningful dialogue that will lead to POSITIVE  CHANGES in our current federal, state and local drug policies and laws. The times, they are a changing... Massachusetts voters have a chance to show how they feel about their current drug laws as they vote on a ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana use by adults. 

In short, this initiative removes criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and replaces them with civil penalties, to be issues through citations, AND--would exclude any information from being recorded in the criminal record information system... Adults over the age of 18 would be subject to forfeiture of the marijuana and a fine of $100. A person under the age of 18 would be subject to forfeiture and, if they complete a drug awareness program within one year of the offense-- the same $100 penalty. To find out more, go to www.csmp.org. 

This blog seeks to promote dialogue between Vermonters... let's start by weighing in on the Massachusetts outcome.... check back for the results... and then let me know what you think---and what you think Vermonters would think about decriminalizing marijuana use by adults here? 

Hey... one more thing- the VALID website will be up this week--- stay tuned!