House lawmakers have voted against legislation (HB 3) to depenalize marijuana possession offenses.
House Bill 3 sought to replace criminal sanctions involving the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana with a civil fine of no more than $ 100 — no arrest and no criminal record. House lawmakers voted against the measure 37 to 21.
Annually, state and local police make some 2,100 marijuana possession arrests. The state ranks sixth in the nation in per capita marijuana possession arrests. Under state law, first-time marijuana possession offenses are classified as a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $ 1,000 fine.
Opponents of the bill alleged that minimizing marijuana penalties would ‘send the wrong message’ and claimed to have received “numerous” communications from constituents urging them to vote against it. It is apparent by these actions that Wyoming lawmakers need to hear from constituents that marijuana law reform ought to be a legislative priority.
Enter your zip code below to contact your state elected officials and urge them to reconsider their stance on marijuana law reform.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
