Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jan 2015
Source: Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (WY)
Copyright: 2015 The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
Contact:  http://www.wyomingnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1217
Author: Ryan Frost

IT'S TIME FOR WYO. TO REPLACE JAIL TIME FOR MARIJUANA WITH CIVIL 
PENALTIES AND FINES

It's time for Wyoming lawmakers to have a serious conversation about
enacting sensible reforms when it comes to our state's marijuana policies.

A great place to start is House Bill 0029, which would remove criminal
penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. This proposal
would impose a civil, not criminal, penalty with a fine of up to $100
for a first or second offense.

Reducing penalties for low-level marijuana possession would prevent
thousands of people from becoming ensnared in the criminal justice
system. Convictions for possessing even small amounts of marijuana can
follow people throughout their lives.

There are substantial long-term consequences to these charges,
including potentially being disqualified from student financial-aid
eligibility, loss of employment, veteran's benefits and incarceration.
What we have now is a situation where the punishment simply doesn't
reflect the conduct.

A recent survey conducted by the University of Wyoming found that 62
percent of Wyomingites surveyed believe the penalty for marijuana
possession should not include jail time.

Decriminalization policies keep people out of jail and would eliminate
many of the collateral consequences that flow from marijuana arrests,
thereby reducing the gross number of people entering the criminal
justice system.

Decriminalization also makes fiscal sense. According to the Bureau of
Justice and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Wyoming spent
$9.1 million enforcing marijuana laws in 2010. That year, Wyoming made
2,254 total arrests for marijuana; 93 percent of those were for
possession of a small amount, not for the manufacture or sale of marijuana.

Wyoming is surrounded by states that have enacted different types of
reforms. Nebraska is one of 15 states that fine, instead of jail,
individuals found in possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Colorado and Washington are now joined by Alaska and Oregon in fully
legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults. It's time for
Wyoming to pass practical reforms, too.

Ryan Frost

Program coordinator for ACLU of Wyoming

Cheyenne
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MAP posted-by: Matt