Issue Position: Marijuana Policy

Issue Position

My House Bill 507 was the first bill in state history to propose comprehensive marijuana policy reform through a civil system instead of our criminal system. It would have created civil penalties-similar to a ticket-for personal use possession of marijuana. This kind of change is desperately needed in a state where we aren't fully funding education but spend $734 million per year on arresting and prosecuting people for low-level marijuana possession, leaving them with criminal records. We have to be smarter on crime.

As I expected, the bill was an uphill battle from the beginning. Many said it would never see the light of day and that it would take several sessions to even get to a committee vote. They were wrong; with the help of a bipartisan coalition I built, the bill was favorably voted out of committee the very first session it was filed. Although it didn't make the deadline for debate on the House floor, this was an incredible first step, and I'm eager to see what the future holds.

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