Will Vermont Be Next to Decriminalize Marijuana?

It has been a turbulent year for marijuana reformers, with the failure of California's Proposition 19 and the effort to legalize pot possession and a few other setbacks across the country.

There's no doubt, however, that the issue entered the national consciousness this year. And once the taboo around marijuana wears off and the public gives a moment of thought to the massive failure of a century of prohibition, the war on pot will fall like a house of cards.

Fifteen states have approved the use of medicial marijuana and 13 have decriminalized the substance. And now a Vermont lawmaker says he plans in January to introduce a bill decriminalizing the possession of less than one ounce. The state's new Governor-elect Peter Shumlin has said he supports this reform, which could save the state $700,000 and would avoid countless unnecessary arrests and prosecutions.

A great article in Alternet by Steven Wishnia looks to New England as the next frontier for marijuana reform. So, you know what this means: New Englanders should be gearing up for a reform push in 2011.

If you live in New England, or you know someone there, it's time to gear up for this push. Visit the Marijuana Policy Project's website to get the lay of the land in your state. Connect with local chapters of NORML and Students for a Sensible Drug Policy and sign up for national info from the Just Say Now campaign.

Find out where your state senators and representatives stand on the issue. If they're on the wrong side of the fence, set up a meeting with a staffer who handles criminal justice policy or health care policy -- give them the talking points and (most importantly) your personal story -- and let us know how it's going  (Email me updates at matt [at] change.org).

We'll keep you in the loop as these campaigns get going. Here's to marijuana reform in 2011.

Photo Credit: jimbowen0306