Stop Increased Marijuana Penalties in Cincinnati

Cincinnati City Council to vote on increased marijuana penalties Wednesday; act now to block the ordinance!

Right now, a person who gets caught in Cincinnati with a small amount of marijuana faces a $100 fine. But if City Councilman Cecil Thomas (D) has his way that person would face a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail. The council will vote on this bill this Wednesday, March 22, and we need your help to stop this reckless legislation now!

There are three things you can do to stand up for reasonable marijuana laws in Cincinnati.

1. Please call the members of the City Council and tell them that you oppose Councilman Thomas’ motion to increase penalties for possession of small quantities of marijuana. You can help to protect Cincinnati’s responsible marijuana policies. Each phone call takes only a moment, and you can call the entire council in only 10 minutes. Please find their phone numbers listed below:

Mayor Mark Mallory (D) — (513) 352-3250
Vice Mayor James Tarbell (D) — (513) 352-3604
Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz (R) — (513) 352-3344
Councilman Jeff Berding (D) — (513) 352-3289
Councilman John Cranely (D) — (513) 352-4657
Councilman Chris Monzel (R) — (513) 352-4649
Councilwoman Y. Laketa Cole (D) — (513) 352-3466
Councilman Chris Bortz (I) — (513) 352-3249
Councilman David Crowley (D) — (513) 352-2453
Councilman Cecil Thomas (D) — (513) 352-3492

2. Please follow up your calls by e-mailing the members of the City Council. Our Web site will enable you to automatically e-mail your letter to the members ... all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference.
Please act now.

3. Then, please send a letter-to-the-editor to your local papers and express your opposition to Councilman Thomas’ emergency ordinance. Our automated system will easily allow you to send a letter to newspapers in Ohio. It takes only a few moments, but it can make a world of difference. Feel free to draw from the talking points that we have provided, but remember that a personalized letter is more likely to be published than a form letter.

Please send a letter-to-the-editor today.

Councilman Thomas’ motion follows an attempt last year by former Councilman David Pepper to increase marijuana possession to a third degree misdemeanor. Councilman Pepper’s proposal was rejected, and with your help Councilman Thomas’ efforts this year will meet the same fate.
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this message on to your friends and family around the state so that even more voices for reform can be heard.

If you would like more information about MPP or would like to find out how you can get involved, please contact Jonas Singer at JSinger@mpp.org or (202) 462-5747 ext. 125.