For years STUFF STONERS LIKE have maintained the notion that the fight for the legalization of marijuana is a fight for civil rights! In order to effectively fight the War on Drugs it takes a deep understanding and a great appreciation of our nation’s rich history. Like us, those involved in the Marijuana Movement aren’t just fighting for legalization, we’re not just fighting for safe access to medicine or the ability to choose how we medicate, or the right to use all of Mother Nature’s plants, we’re not just battling stereotypes, discrimination, and injustice…we’re struggling for CIVIL RIGHTS!
It’s a somber fact that African Americans suffer a disproportionate number of arrests for marijuana possession as compared with whites. In every one of the 25 largest counties in California, blacks are arrested for marijuana possession at higher rates than whites, typically at double, triple or even quadruple the rate of whites despite the fact our government consistently reports young blacks use marijuana at lower rates than young whites. And, now the California Chapter of the NAACP has seen the light and are fighting back by endorsing Proposition 19, formerly the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, that looks to legalize marijuana for recreational use and put an end to the hatred of minorities’ use of marijuana.
“This is not a war on the drug lords, this is a war against young men and women of color,” said Alice Huffman, president of CA’s NAACP chapter. “Once a young person is arrested and brought under the justice system, he or she is more likely to get caught in the criminal justice system again, further wasting tax dollars.”
In her announcements Huffman leveraged a report written by Harry Levine, a sociology professor at Queens College at the City University of New York, released by the Drug Policy Alliance, who also backs the ballot measure. “In a nutshell, the police are assigned heavily to patrol only in certain neighborhoods and in those neighborhoods they are looking for certain suspects who are young, who are male,” Levine said.
“…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.” “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.” “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others,” claimed the self-appointed Harry J. Anslinger, the first Commissioner of the Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics back in the 30′s which ultimately morphed into the corrupt DEA of today.
Yes, THAT’S WHY WEED IS ILLEGAL! It’s not because of science, medical facts, government hearings or to protect people from the “most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.” it was racism! Anslinger finally gave Americans proof that degenerates were victimizing the white population and they were using weed to do it! You see, marijuana was made illegal…just to give racists something tangible to use to DIRECTLY discriminate against African Americans! The ban on weed is rooted in those very same fears addressed by the civil rights movement. Reefer Madness continues to this day! Reefer Madness not only reinforces but illustrates that separate but not equal treatment bullshit that keeps us all separated. By fighting Reefer Madness we’re fighting RACISM ITSELF! And, by fighting for your right to use marijuana you’re fighting racism. And now the endorsement of Proposition 19 by The NAACP PROVES marijuana is a CIVIL RIGHT!
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2 Responses to “NAACP Supports Legalization of Marijuana in CA”
Danielle
I’m sure it’s not easy to come out in support of this, but this just shows how time and time again this organization stands up for what’s right, not what’s easy. Kudos.
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