4/9/96
SAY NO TO MORE DRUG PRISONERS:
YES to Medical MJ Bills: AB 2933, AB 2120
NO to Increased Sentences: AB 2764, AB 2227, AB 2786
Contact the Assembly Public Safety Committee NOW!
On April 16th, California Assembly Public Safety Committee will be debating marijuana legislation at a time when the number of marijuana offenders in California state prisons has hit its highest level in history.
According to the Department of Corrections, as of December 31, 1995, 1572 prisoners were serving time for marijuana felonies, up 18% from one year previously. This is over twice the number of prisoners as in the early 1970s, before possession was decriminalized.
In addition, the population of all drug prisoners has reached a new all-time high of 35,350, of which a record 12,579, or 10% of the total prison population, are incarcerated for simple possession of illegal drugs (i.e., not with intent to sell).
Among the bills being heard by the Public Safety Committee, the following would make matters worse by increasing penalties for marijuana and other drug offenses:
AB 2764 by Charles Poochigian (R- Fresno), would increase penalties for marijuana trafficking by 3 years and upwards for offenses involving one kilogram or more. (Note that 1 kilo is just one-third the amount the U.S. government supplies every year to approved medical marijuana glaucoma patient Robert Randall.)
AB 2227 by Larry Bowler (R-Elk Grove/Sacramento), would require that anyone receiving probation for drug possession or use serve 8 hours/week of community service for one year in programs to be established by the county sheriff. N.B: Since sheriffs do not currently run community service programs, this would require the expenditure of additional local funds on the part of cash-strapped counties.
AB 2786 by Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) would prevent judges from granting probation to drug offenders who have any prior felony drug conviction. This bill is sponsored by the LA County DA's office, which apparently feels that too many second-time drug offenders are escaping prison.
On the positive side, the committee will hear two bills to reduce penalties for medical marijuana:
AB 2933, by Assemblyman John Vasconcellos is essentially the same as last year's bill to legalize possession and personal use cultivation of marijuana with a physician's prescription.
AB 2120, by Assemblyman John Burton, is a watered-down alternative, which would make personal use cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
California DRCNet members and other supporters are urged to speak up now. Communications should be addressed to your own assemblymember and to Paula Boland, Chair, Public Safety Committee, State Capitol, Sacramento 95814. You can call your assemblymember (or find out who your assemblymember is) through the Capitol operator: 916-657-9900. You can write to any assemblymember at the following address:
[Member Name]
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Letters and phone calls are especially needed from constituents of the following committee members (local addresses included):
Paula Boland (Chair) (R)
10727 White Oak Avenue, Suite 124
Granada Hills, CA 91344
fax: (916) 322-2005
very anti-drug
Jan Goldsmith (Vice-Chair) (R)
12307 Oak Knoll, Suite A
Poway, CA 92064
fax: (916) 324-2782
anti-drug
Barbara Alby (R)
4811 Chippendale Drive, Suite 501
Sacramento CA 95841
fax: (916) 323-9411
EXTREMELY anti-drug
Dede Alpert (D)
3262 Holiday Court
La Jolla, CA 92037
fax: (916) 445-4001
swing vote
Debra Bowen (D)
18411 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 280
Torrance, CA 90504
fax: (916) 445-8528
swing vote
Larry Bowler (R)
10370 Old Placerville Road, Suite 106
Sacramento, CA 95827
fax: (916) 324-0013
very anti-drug (ex-sheriff)
Brett Granlund (R)
34932 Yucaipa Blvd
Yucaipa, CA 92399
fax: (916) 445-7650
very anti-drug
George House (R)
3600 Sisk Road, Suite 5-D3
Modesto, CA 95356
fax: (916) 445-7344
anti-drug
Barbara Lee (D)
405 14th Street, Suite 715
Oakland, CA 94612
fax: (916) 327-1941
sympathizer
Diane Martinez (D)
320 South Garfield Avenue, Suite 202
Alhambra, CA 91801
fax: (916) 324-1393
swing vote
Grace Napolitano (D)
P.O. Box 408
Norwalk, CA 90650
fax: 327-1203
swing vote
Richard Rainey (R)
P.O. Box 4893
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
fax: (916) 327-5297
swing vote
James Rogan (R)
143 South Glendale Avenue, Suite 208
Glendale, CA 91205
fax: (916) 322-4398
[email protected]
anti-drug, but pro-medical-marijuana
John Vasconcellos (D)
100 Paseo de San Antonio, #106
San Jose, CA 95113
fax: (916) 323-9209
[email protected]
sympathizer
Charles Poochigian (R)
2497 West Shaw Road
Fresno, CA 93711
fax: (916) 445-3832
sponsor of AB 2764
For further information, contact Marnie Regen,
[email protected],
(408) 944-0924,
fax to same number; or
Dale Gieringer,
[email protected],
(415) 563-5858.
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