Police Officer Advocates for Marijuana Legalization
You know marijuana legalization is on the ropes when an active-duty police officer in Dallas Texas is telling people to legalize weed. “I work toward marijuana legalization because, as an active police officer, I have an obligation to improve public safety and protect my community,” says Nick Novello, an officer with the Dallas Police Department and member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).
Novello is the featured speaker at an advocacy training event at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce in Tyler Texas this Saturday. It was organized by Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy—a coalition of organizations, activists and community leaders dedicated to realizing effective, efficient and evidence-based marijuana policies. The group is hoping to inject some pro legalization debate into 2016 state legislative races. This is their fourth in a series of pro legalization of marijuana events being held around Texas. Regional events are also scheduled for Houston on December 12, Amarillo on January 9 and Lubbock on January 10.
“Regulation and education will focus police resources on more important crimes and make the drug more difficult for children to get. By every measure, marijuana prohibition has failed. Safer communities are within reach,” Officer Novello continued in a statement.
Joining Officer Novello will be Michael Bullock, legislative director for State Rep. David Simpson, who will offer tips on meeting with lawmakers to discuss marijuana policy reform. Rep. Simpson is currently facing off with Rep. Bryan Hughes in the Republican primary race for Texas Senate District 1, which encompasses Tyler. Earlier this year, both representatives were co-authors of a bill to remove the threat of arrest, jail time, and a criminal record for simple marijuana possession. Details of the event are below and also available at texasmarijuanapolicy.org/training-tyler:
WHO: Officer Nick Novello, Dallas Police Department
Michael Bullock, legislative director for State Rep. David Simpson
Representatives from Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy
Local volunteer advocates
WHAT: Regional gathering of marijuana policy reform advocates — including an active-duty Dallas police officer — who will be working to inject the marijuana policy debate into 2016 state legislative races
WHEN: Saturday, December 5; featured speaker at approximately 3:30 p.m. CT, media availability immediately following
WHERE: Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, 315 Broadway Ave. #100, Tyler
Law Enforcement promoting the legalization of marijuana? Now that’s Stuff Stoners Like. Let us know what you make of all this in the comments below…
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