Montpelier speaks!

Hi everyone:

Its been quite awhile since I've posted on this site since we do most of our posting on facebook. But, with things heating up so much lately, I thought I'd add a quick update here. H.150 still sits bottled up on House Judiciary. S. 226 is being debated in Senate Government Ops. Montpelier just passed a non-binding resolution by a LANDSLIDE... to urge the VT legislature to pass a decriminalization bill--H.150.

Let's not let this momentum die. Weigh in. Talk to your lawmakers. Don't know who they are? Check out VALID's website--we have a link to the state website where you can find out who they are! Call them and tell them how you feel. Make them engage with you. This is what democracy is all about. In a time where big banks, big insurance, big pharmaceuticals--and big corporations have all of this crazy power across the country, here in VT your voice MATTERS!

Write letters to the editor, call your lawmakers, talk to your friends--your colleagues, everyone who will listen... How about making a vow to say the word marijuana at least 3 times a day-- OUT LOUD--where someone can hear you!!? Let's work to de-stigmatize this issue... make people engage you on the FACTS--not the outdated, tired old arguments... Gateway-- hmm, not so much.. wrong message to kids... are you kidding me? If people are that worried about sending the wrong message to kids--how about putting down the cigs and the beer-- not to mention the LEGAL prescription drugs... ugh, don't get me started!

You have the power to change things. Make it happen. Get involved. Take a stand. Have a nice day. Oh yeah--- and my personal favorite--freedom isn't free:)

H.150

Hi all:

David Zuckerman of Burlington with 18 co-sponsors, introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana in VT. Please check out our website or facebook page for more info. www.validvt.org

If you live in VT and want to help get this bill passed, there's a lot you can do!  Writing letters to the editor, or Op-Eds, or calling your lawmaker, or better yet-- meet with your local lawmaker to show your support and encourage him/her to support it too!

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!