This petition will be sent to the Washington State House of Representatives. This will tell them that you want them to support House Bill 1177, a bill that will make marijuana a type two civil offense instead of a criminal one. It would replace the current penalties with a $100 fine for 40 grams or less in possession. The passing of this bill is a great step forward for all of us that value true justice.
Dear Representatives,
We the undersigned want you to vote to pass HB 1177. We feel that it is a matter of fiscal responsibility, we want to save the We also want to save the $7,500,000 that are wasted every year in marijuana enforcement. However, this bill is not about marijuana. This bill is about a more fair criminal justice system. Marijuana use has little to no negative impact upon society. Therefore it should not be considered a crime but rather a civil offense. Given that the passing of this bill will reduce spending and create a more just Washington, can you see any reason to vote against it?
There is concern over the health problems caused by marijuana. However, has never been the sole culprit responsible for ending anyone's life. However, cigarettes kills hundreds of thousands a year. Alcohol kills, tobacco kills, OTC medications kill, even coffee kills. Those substances all cause more deaths annually than marijuana does. Much less, the potential health risks of marijuana do not constitute criminality.
According to every credible research study, marijuana is relatively harmless and beyond that, it hurts no one but the user. No action that hurts no one but the perpetrator should result in prison times or a conviction.
