Reverend Ryan says:

Responses to my email so far:

From Senator Rodney Tom

Ryan,

Thank you so much for writing me concerning Senate Bill 5615, dealing with the reclassification of possession of 40 grams or less of marijuana. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we are needlessly clogging our court system by classifying this as a misdemeanor crime.

I am always a little puzzled when it comes to marijuana possession in that when I talk to the prosecutors, they say that they do not routinely pursue cases when it is clearly intended for personal use. I think all of us can agree that is far from a hardcore criminal matter.

Several years ago when I was in the House I introduced legislation that tried to set up a task force just to study what our current laws on drug criminalization were costing the citizens of Washington state. The bill did not go anywhere because any legislation dealing with drug decriminalization becomes a political hot potato.

In these times of severe budget cuts I believe it’s imperative that we start getting smart on crime instead of relying on the Wild West characterization that you just throw everybody in jail. If we have proven anything over the past couple years, it is that for those who are convicted of drug related non-violent crimes, treatment and public education is by far our most cost-effective means of dealing with the issue.

I want to thank you once again for voicing your concerns and getting involved in the democratic process. As always, I appreciate and value your thoughts and opinions.

think Peace!

Rodney Tom
State Senator

p 360.786.7694
o 800.562.6000 hotline

e tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov

w http://www.sdc.wa.gov/tom.htm

From Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles

Thanks, Ryan. I appreciate your support as I am the prime sponsor of the bill.

Jeanne

Sent from my iPhone
Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Chair, Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee
36th Legislative District
Washington State Senate
Tel: (360) 786-7670
District: (206) 281-6854

Reverend Ryan says:

LOL