The California Legislature is convening from summer recess this week and one hot item on their agenda is making mandatory reductions to prison spending. The state’s recently adopted budget relies on $1.2 billion in unspecified cuts to corrections spending and the governor and legislature will be deciding just where to cut in the days ahead.

Please tell Gov. Schwarzenegger and the legislature that nonviolent marijuana offenders shouldn’t be taking up space in our prisons!

A federal court recently declared that conditions in California’s overcrowded prisons constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.” In fact, the state is under court order to reduce the prison population by 27%. I trust that you agree that the more than 1,500 marijuana prisoners should be first in line for release.

In July, Governor Schwarzenegger outlined a spending reduction plan that would downgrade penalties for several property crimes including certain vehicular and grand theft offenses. Shockingly, the governor’s plan makes no changes to marijuana penalties.

If you find it morally objectionable to consider going soft on car thieves before easing up on victimless marijuana offenses, please take action today!

Growing even a single marijuana plant or selling one joint are still felonies under California law, which could land an offender behind bars alongside murderers, thieves, and sex offenders. Amending our marijuana laws would be a safe and sensible part of the upcoming overhaul of the prison system.

Writing the legislature and the governor is easy using MPP’s online action center. Just enter the requested information and send a pre-written or custom message to your representatives in Sacramento.

Thank you for supporting MPP and humane marijuana policy. Please be sure to pass this message along to other Californians who support reform, so that they too can take action.