Today’s Action: Decriminalize marijuana and clear marijuana convictions

Just in time for Thanksgiving leftovers, let’s talk about the munchies!

Sort of. Really, we need to discuss legalizing marijuana, which 91% of Americans support for medical purposes and 59% support for recreational use. Eleven states plus Washington D.C. have legalized cannabis for recreational/medical purposes, and a whopping 33 have cleared the way for medical-only.

Congress is ready: Democrats have introduced the MORE Act, which would not only remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (thereby decriminalizing it) but also clear convictions for those who have been charged with marijuana use. And super important, the MORE Act also establishes funding for communities most devastated by the War on Drugs, which wracked up marijuana-related convictions predominantly against people of color.

Call or email your Members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the MORE Act (HR.3884/S.2227), decriminalizing marijuana usage and overturning marijuana-related convictions.

Legalizing marijuana doesn’t just help those incarcerated for possession – it helps those ‘merely’ arrested or convicted for possession as well, which can lead to lost employment, ineligibility for public housing, suspended drivers licenses, and restrictions on student loans.

And the racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests are well-known; a black person is anywhere from four (national average) to fifteen times (in certain areas) more likely to be jailed than a white person in our country.

We’re long overdue for a national overhaul of marijuana laws, if only for how our government and police forces have weaponized it, targeting our most vulnerable and oppressed communities.

Email or call (202.224.3121) your Members of Congress and tell them to cosponsor the MORE Act (HR.3884/S.2227), decriminalizing marijuana to pave the way for criminal justice reform.