#DecriminalizeDon'tLegalize
Whom does legalization really help?
The average citizen, or big corporations?
On the surface, legalizing marijuana might sound like a good way to address issues of systemic injustice. At best, it's a band-aid solution. The reality is, marijuana legalization/commercialization exacerbates issues of systemic injustice by creating a predatory addiction-for-profit drug industry.
This new addiction industry is already targeting communities of color like its predecessors Big Tobacco and the liquor industry have always done.
It's time for a new model in between the two extremes of incarceration and commercialization.
DECRIMINALIZATION
People of color are almost 6 times more likely to be arrested for all drugs, including marijuana, than white people.
Substance misuse and addiction should be a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. Removing criminal penalties for marijuana possession as part of a comprehensive marijuana policy is a must, as are expungement, police reform, and other justice principles within a movement for higher standards of social justice.
Legalization, however, goes too far by creating a multi-billion dollar industry whose impact exacerbates many of the underlying contributors to systemic injustice.
2500000000
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Over 2.5 billion dollars invested in marijuana by major tobacco and alcohol companies
INEQUALITY EXACERBATED
Many residents in lower-income communities of color already have the blight a liquor store on every corner. Advertisements for tobacco and lottery tickets abound.
The reality of legalization and commercialization is that these same communities will now be burdened with an oversaturation of pot shops on every other corner as well.
As reported in the Denver Post, in some low-income minority areas of Denver Colorado, there is one marijuana license for every 47 residents.
Addiction-For-Profit- The Numbers
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25
83
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