A proposal before the Cincinnati City Council right now would increase penalties for possession of marijuana - but we can stop it with your help.

Please take action here.

An ordinance proposed by Cecil Thomas, newly elected member of the city council and chair of the council's Law & Public Safety Committee, would increase the penalty for possession of up to 7 ounces of marijuana to a first-degree misdemeanor. That would mean a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail and a criminal record.  Presently the penalty under state and city law for up to 3.5 ounces is a $100 fine, no jail time and no criminal record.
 
If passed, this proposal would seriously overburden police, jail staff and jail facilities, and create a steeper bill for taxpayers. It would also needlessly slap many more young people with a criminal record.
 
Vice-Mayor James Tarbell and Council Member David Crowley have already publicly opposed Thomas' proposal, but several members of the council are new, and need to hear from their constituents about why these increased penalties would be bad for Cincinnati. You can make your voice heard by contacting Mayor Mark Mallory and the Cincinnati City Council before Tuesday, February 28.

Please take action here.