ACLU Supporter, 4/20 is almost here.
We’d love to just celebrate the holiday. But the reality is, the smoke carries a bitter truth of two Americas: one trapped by the outdated, unjust, and racist War on Drugs, and the other thriving on the plant it once criminalized.
It’s past time we legalize cannabis in every state and pardon those with marijuana convictions – and that is what our lawyers and advocates at the ACLU continue to fight for, not just during 4/20 week but always. Here are 3 updates from these efforts we want you to have leading into Saturday:
- The path to addressing the consequences of the War on Drugs begins with a powerful and readily available tool: clemency. State governors can choose to pardon those with marijuana convictions – a first step at repairing the harm from the over-criminalization and surveillance of Black and brown communities. Join us in sending a message to your Governor today, urging them to exercise their power of clemency to pardon individuals for marijuana-related offenses in your state.
- But unfortunately, the War on Drugs is no relic of the past. Congress is still using baseless arguments and fearmongering about drug policing to expand the government’s power to spy on our communities. Just last Friday, the House passed legislation that would reauthorize Section 702, expanding the government’s power to secretly spy on Americans without a warrant, and creating a new form of “extreme vetting” for people traveling to the United States. Now, the bill goes to the Senate. Urge your Senator to vote NO on this expansion of government warrantless surveillance.
- Progress toward a greener future for all doesn’t end there. Fighting for cannabis justice means showing you’re a part of our fight. Represent our grassroots movement with our brand new 4/20 merch – and know every item you purchase goes straight to the fight for equitable drug reform.
We should all get to celebrate 4/20. Your action today will help make that a reality.
Thanks,
The ACLU Team
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004, USA