Groups, lawmakers use 4/20 to raise awareness about marijuana sentencing reform

Progressive advocacy groups and lawmakers commemorated the unofficial 4/20 holiday on Saturday by attempting to raise awareness about racial disparities in incarceration rates for marijuana-related crimes.

Organizations and politicians favoring marijuana legalization set up petitions, sold merchandise and called for political change on the day regarded for its popularity in cannabis culture.

{mosads}Several messages pointed to racial inequities in the enforcement of marijuana laws across the country.

“If you love pot AND you’re white, everything is totally awesome these days,” ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s said in a statement. “Let’s be clear: even with increased legalization, hundreds of thousands of people are still being arrested for pot. And most of those people are Black.”

The company started a petition on Friday to have Congress act on marijuana convictions, asking lawmakers to provide pardons or amnesty to those whose only crime was possessing cannabis

“Want to feel really really good this 4/20? Then let’s make sure that legalization benefits all of us. That’ll turn 4/20 into a day that we all can celebrate,” the company added.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sent an email to supporters advertising a limited-edition t-shirt and travel bag with the text “The War on Drugs is bullshit” and a picture of former President Richard Nixon, who pushed for tough drug policies during his administration.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) urged lawmakers to follow the 33 states where the drug has been legalized.

“While states continue to blaze the trail forward with regard to the regulation of the legal medical and adult-use marijuana markets, lawmakers in D.C. should take note,” the group tweeted.

While states continue to blaze the trail forward with regard to the regulation of the legal medical and adult-use marijuana markets, lawmakers in D.C. should take note. https://t.co/9I2RneaEBN

— NORML (@NORML) April 20, 2019

Several politicians, including a slew of Democratic presidential candidates, also urged for legislative reform to help correct any disparities in enforcement.

“As we work to legalize marijuana nationwide, we’ve got to also ensure equity in the marijuana industry. Communities that have been historically targeted by the failed War on Drugs can’t be left out of opportunities to participate in the legal marijuana economy,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) tweeted.

As we work to legalize marijuana nationwide, we’ve got to also ensure equity in the marijuana industry. Communities that have been historically targeted by the failed War on Drugs can’t be left out of opportunities to participate in the legal marijuana economy.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 20, 2019

“The Marijuana Justice Act wouldn’t just legalize marijuana—it would expunge the records of millions of people who have been hurt by the War on Drugs,” he added, referencing a bill he introduced in the Senate.

The Marijuana Justice Act wouldn’t just legalize marijuana—it would expunge the records of millions of people who have been hurt by the War on Drugs.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 20, 2019

“It’s time we legalize marijuana at the federal level and restore justice to our communities. Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. We must reverse this trend,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), another 2020 candidate, added.

It’s time we legalize marijuana at the federal level and restore justice to our communities. Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. We must reverse this trend.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 20, 2019

“Our nation’s current drug laws are counterproductive, fueling racial disparities and drug wars. I’m proud of my state’s progressive policies on this issue. Now let’s legalize marijuana nationwide,” Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) tweeted.

Our nation’s current drug laws are counterproductive, fueling racial disparities and drug wars. I’m proud of my state’s progressive policies on this issue. Now let’s legalize marijuana nationwide.pic.twitter.com/7QOZTxD17Q

— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) April 20, 2019

“Legalizing marijuana is a basic question of fairness & freedom for the American people. We must legalize marijuana, expunge the records of those w/ marijuana possession charges/convictions & hold Big Pharma accountable for the opioid epidemic that has killed thousands #420” tweeted 2020 contender Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).

Legalizing marijuana is a basic question of fairness & freedom for the American people. We must legalize marijuana, expunge the records of those w/ marijuana possession charges/convictions & hold Big Pharma accountable for the opioid epidemic that has killed thousands #420

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 20, 2019

“It’s not enough just to say we want to #LegalizeIt. We will also regulate it, taking best practices of states that have successfully legalized marijuana. And while we’re at it, we’ll expunge the records of folks who’ve been incarcerated for using it,” former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro (D) said.

It’s not enough just to say we want to #LegalizeIt. We will also regulate it, taking best practices of states that have successfully legalized marijuana. And while we’re at it, we’ll expunge the records of folks who’ve been incarcerated for using it. pic.twitter.com/z7JZyz9PPP

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) April 20, 2019

“I’m for full legalization of marijuana. I would go a step further and on 4/20, 2021, exactly 2 years from today, I would pardon everyone who’s in jail for a low-level, non-violent marijuana offense and I would high five them on their way out of jail,” businessman Andrew Yang vowed.

I’m for full legalization of marijuana. I would go a step further and on 4/20, 2021, exactly 2 years from today, I would pardon everyone who’s in jail for a low-level, non-violent marijuana offense and I would high five them on their way out of jail. pic.twitter.com/Q8txZNa2I1

— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) April 20, 2019

“Cannabis criminalization disproportionately impacts communities of color. We must finally legalize cannabis nationwide and expunge records for those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a progressive firebrand in the House, added.

Cannabis criminalization disproportionately impacts communities of color. We must finally legalize cannabis nationwide and expunge records for those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. https://t.co/C8jhxlWAgW

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 20, 2019

According to ACLU data, 8 million arrests for pot were made between 2001 and 2010. The data found that, in that timespan, a black person was 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for possession than a white person, despite cannabis being used at similar rates among white and black people.

Nearly every major 2020 presidential candidate has publicly supported proposals to legalize marijuana, erase past convictions for minor possession and remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act.

A record high number of Americans, 65 percent, say they believe that marijuana should be legalized, according to a CBS News poll released Friday. The poll found that 56 percent of Republicans back legalization, the first time a majority of the group has supported the proposal.

A majority of Americans, the poll found, also believe legalizing weed wouldn’t have negative impacts on the economy or crime rates.

Updated at 4:25 p.m.