IT’S ABOUT TIME –
Oct. 14, 2024 – According to FBI data, U.S. law enforcement agencies made roughly 217,000 arrests for marijuana-related offenses last year. Black Americans, who make up 13.7 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for 29 percent of drug arrests, according to the same data. Research also shows Black Americans are convicted at higher rates, and given longer sentences, in criminal cases.
Vice President Kamala Harris promised to legalize recreational marijuana use at the federal level if elected president, her campaign announced as part of a slate of new policy promises Monday.
Recreational cannabis is currently legal in 24 states, but has remained illegal federally, often leading to a contentious clash between overlapping laws.
The announcement was made alongside new policies the Harris campaign said form an “Opportunity Agenda” for Black men, and are designed to appeal to the important voting bloc that traditionally votes overwhelmingly in favor of Democrats.
