PhillyNORML

Castor Avenue 1. Safety Record: Castor Avenue has a relatively strong safety record, as per reports from law enforcement, with fewer than six fatalities in the past five years, which is cited as evidence that the current configuration is safe. 2. Business Concerns: The majority of businesses on this commercial co...

May 17, 2024

Contact: Alicia Mercedes, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — This week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the Justice Department will formally reclassify ma*****na, making the drug 'lower-risk' and taking a pivotal first step toward unraveling the disproportionate harms inflicted by the 'War on Drugs.' For over half a decade, the NAACP has supported the decriminalization of ma*****na, an issue that has contributed to the unjust incarceration of millions of Black Americans.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson shared the following statement in response to this week's news:

"The war on drugs has been a war on Black America. The facts speak for themselves. Black Americans are 4 times more likely to be incarcerated on ma*****na-related charges than white Americans. Let's be clear - no one should be incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses. While this is a historic first step, the NAACP knows that the work to secure justice is never complete. Now, we call on Congress to enact the legislation necessary to make nationwide reform a reality. Let's get to work."

For decades, the federal government has classified ma*****na as more dangerous than fentanyl and m**h, a clear racial disparity based on usage demographics. While reclassifying ma*****na from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug will not legalize or decriminalize the substance nationwide, it is the most significant shift in federal drug policy in recent years.


The NAACP continues to support the decriminalization of cannabis. To learn more, visit our website.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the bigge

April 26, 2024

Pa. lawmakers consider government-run w**d dispensaries. The cannabis industry isn’t happy. • Pennsylvania Capital-Star While it's unclear what legalization legislation might look like, cannabis industry groups and lobbyists are already pushing back.