Ask Gov. Edwards to sign HB 652 into law! 

On Monday, the Louisiana Senate voted to pass HB 652 — which would reduce the penalty for possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis to a fine of up to $100. The House already passed the bill, so it now heads to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk.

Email Gov. Edwards today ask him to sign this important reform into law.

Louisiana was the incarceration capital of the United States until recently. While the legislature has reduced several penalties, many continue to be jaw-droppingly harsh and tear families apart. Under current law, a first offense for possessing up to 14 grams carries up to 15 days in jail. The penalty increases for additional convictions, and a fourth or subsequent simple possession offense carries up to eight years in jail.

Please ask Gov. Edwards to reduce this vastly disproportionate penalty by signing HB 652 into law.

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard for humane cannabis policies in Louisiana, including Louisiana Progress — which led the charge on legalization and decriminalization advocacy this year; Kevin Caldwell and Common Sense NOLA, whose trailblazing local decriminalization efforts laid the foundation for statewide reform; and Sensible Marijuana Policy for Louisiana, who have been key to medical cannabis progress and broader reform over the years. We are also so grateful to Rep. Cedric Glover for sponsoring the bill.

P.S. In other news, the bill to allow medical cannabis flower — HB 391 — is now headed to Gov. Edwards, too! Meanwhile, the Senate gutted and replaced the bill to tax medical cannabis flower, HB 514. The House did not concur, so that bill is headed to conference.

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Ask your state senator to stop jailing cannabis consumers!

Yesterday, the Louisiana Senate voted to allow medical cannabis in its raw, flower form in a 23-14 vote!

The Senate made some tweaks to the bill (HB 391), so it will head back to the House before landing on Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk. The Senate has not yet voted on the separate bill (HB 514),  which MPP opposes, that would tax flower cannabis.

Meanwhile, a Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill (HB 652) to decriminalize possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis. The full Senate could vote on it as soon as Tuesday.

Write your state senator today to ask them to vote “yes” on HB 652. Let them know Louisianans shouldn’t be thrown in jail for using a substance that is safer than alcohol.

HB 652 would reduce the maximum penalty for possession of up to 14 grams to a $100 fine. Right now, the penalty  is up to 15 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $300.

While progress is being made, the legislature lags far behind the public on cannabis policy reform. Polling shows two-thirds of Louisiana voters support legalization, but efforts to end cannabis prohibition have died on the House floor.

Rep. Richard Nelson’s legalization bill — HB 699 — was pulled from consideration after a companion cannabis tax bill failed. And yesterday, the House voted down Rep. Candace Newell’s bill to set up a framework for legalization — HB 709 — in a 39-62 vote.

Several cities aren’t waiting for the legislature to roll back Louisiana’s devastating and racist war on marijuana. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and East Baton Rouge have all decriminalized marijuana in recent years. More recently, New Orleans Council President Helana Moreno proposed an ordinance to dismiss all pending cases for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and pardon anyone who has a conviction. Almost 10,000 cases and convictions could be cleared.

Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to write your state senator in support of decriminalization. It will save thousands of Louisianans from the trauma, disrespect, and disruption of being jailed for cannabis.

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Let your state senator know that it is past time Louisiana stop jailing cannabis consumers.

Good news! Yesterday evening, the Louisiana House of Representatives voted to reduce the penalty for possession of 14 grams of cannabis to a fine of up to $100 with no jail time.

This bill would save Louisianans the trauma, humiliation, and disruption caused by being locked in a jail cell for possessing a substance that is safer than alcohol. Please take a moment to let your state senator know you want them to support this modest bill — HB 652.

A supermajority of Louisianans support making marijuana legal for adults. At the very least, you can let your senator know, Louisianans should not be incarcerated for simple possession of cannabis.

Meanwhile, the Louisiana House of Representatives has not yet taken up to bills to legalize marijuana for adults’ use. The votes have been rescheduled for today. While it is unlikely that Louisiana’s legalization bills will become law this year, the more lawmakers hear a groundswell of support from their constituents, the quicker that day will come.

Please take a few minutes to call your state representative and ask them to vote “yes” on the legalization bills — HB 699 and HB 434. Our automated software makes it easy to find your state rep’s name and number, and it provides talking points and a sample script you can use to help guide your call. 

Sheriffs who oppose legalization are out in force to try to persuade state reps to vote against legalization. It is crucial that state reps hear from supportive constituents before they cast their votes.

To go the extra mile, urge your friends and family to write their legislators in support of legalization and decriminalization by sharing the link on Facebook or Twitter.

P.S. The bill to allow flower cannabis in the medical cannabis program (HB 391) is on the move, too. It’s already passed the House and is scheduled for a hearing this morning in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee starting at 10 a.m. You can reach out to your lawmakers in support of the bill here.

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Ask key senators to allow botanical, flower medical cannabis.

Minnesota is one of only two medical cannabis states that doesn’t allow cannabis in its natural, flower form. This drives up prices for patients and deprives many of the medicine that works best for them. Many end up turning to the unregulated, sometimes dangerous, illicit market.

Please take a moment to add your voice to finally give patients access to whole-plant cannabis: Ask key senators not to stand in the way of relief.

In both 2019 and 2020, the DFL-led House of Representatives passed bills to allow flower, but they both died in the Senate. This year, the Senate Health Finance and Policy Committee unanimously approved adding flower, but it never got a Senate floor vote.

The House has included the bill in the Health and Human Services Omnibus bill. The provision’s fate now lies in the hands of the Republican Senate majority.

Please send a note to key members of Senate leadership to ask them to stand up for patients. You can also sign and share the petition from our allies at Sensible Change Minnesota, who are leading the charge.

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Urge your elected officials to support this cost-reducing measure!

Minnesota’s 2020 legislative session is underway, and several cannabis-related bills have been introduced. While we are still eagerly awaiting House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler’s bill to legalize and regulate cannabis, another important bill needs your support. SF4255 would improve the medical cannabis program, including by allowing patients to vaporize cannabis in its natural, flower form.

Ask your state senator and representative to support this important measure.

Minnesota has some of the most expensive medical cannabis products in the nation, and many patients turn back to the illicit market as a result. Two of the four other states that once prohibited flower cannabis — Pennsylvania and New York — now allow it. Minnesota should, too.

The bill would also ease access in rural areas of the state by allowing dispensaries to operate mobile distribution units. This would save patients and their caregivers hours-long round trips.

Please write your lawmakers today to ask them to work to pass SF4255, and spread the word.

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