Tell Congress: Stop the unjust War on Drugs - Pass the Marijuana Justice Act

Female prison population is nearly eight times higher than in 1980 due to non-violent drug convictions

Big news for drug policy reform: After California legalized recreational marijuana use, San Francisco followed suit by clearing thousands of marijuana convictions dating back 40 years. This is a step in the right direction – now people won’t be held for crimes that are no longer crimes. 

The outdated policies of the War on Drugs have done little but waste federal resources and harm lives forever. But while some of us are fighting back, others – like Attorney General Jeff Sessions – are doggedly pursuing the same failed policies. His vendetta against marijuana and people who use it goes against public opinion and completely disregards the human consequences of these unjust laws. 

But we can stop him. There’s a new bill in Congress to legalize marijuana under federal law – and remedy some of the injustices of the War on Drugs. We need your help to make sure it becomes law.

Tell your members of Congress to support the Marijuana Justice Act and reform our broken criminal justice system.

How do we know that reform is needed? The data says it all. In 2013 we found that Black people are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession even though Black and white people use marijuana at comparable rates.

What’s more, 64 percent of Americans approve of legalizing marijuana. But Jeff Sessions' policies go against the will of the people.

Let's tell Congress to pass the Marijuana Justice Act NOW to promote equitable and proportional justice. Antiquated and out-of-touch drug laws – like Sessions’ marijuana policies – have got to go.

-Jesselyn McCurdy
ACLU Deputy Legislative Director, fighting for criminal justice reform

*Note from Desktop Activist:  In addition to the injustices towards black people, there has been a profound change in the involvement of women within the criminal justice system over the past quarter century. This is the result of more expansive law enforcement efforts, stiffer drug sentencing laws, and post-conviction barriers to reentry that uniquely affect women. Women now comprise a larger proportion of the prison population than ever before; the female prison population stands nearly eight times higher than its population count in 1980. More than 60% of women in state prisons have a child under the age of 18. - the Sentencing Project

Good news! Our activism pays off as Trump's budget is rejected

Some good news! Our activism has paid off! In the spending agreement that was reached last night to keep the government funded until the end of September:

*Trump's wall did not get funded. 1) The measure that did get passed put a strict limit on the amount of money that can be used for border security - making it almost impossible for Trump to pay for starting his wall. 2) No funding can be cut for "sanctuary cities." 3) No money for a deportation force in ICE.

*Trump wanted to cut the National Institutes of Health by 1/3. But it got a 2 billion dollar boost!

*Trump wanted cuts in all scientific inquiry.. But there were nearly NO cuts in scientific budgets.

*Instead of the 1/3 cut in the EPA, it was cut by just 1% and there were no staff cuts.

*No cuts in Planned Parenthood!

*Trump got 1/2 of what he wanted for the military.

*They did not fund the justice department in stopping medical marijuana in states where it was legalized.

*The subsidies built into the affordable care act will continue.

The United States and the American people came out on top! This gives me hope in our checks and balances and that our activism is working!

But our activism continues to be important. This spending agreement lasts until September.  Trump will continue to enact executive orders and his cabinet members will continue to wreak havoc in their departments. We must stay diligent!