ACLU Supporter –

Have you seen the racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests in your state? Even if marijuana is decriminalized or legalized where you live, Black people are more likely to be arrested for the drug, despite similar usage rates to white people. And in some parts of the country, this racial disparity is getting worse.

There's something we can do about that.

The MORE Act would make marijuana equally legal, nationwide. Even while Congress deals with the current public health crisis, it's critical that we start building support for this legislation: Send a message to your representative in support of the MORE Act so we can tackle the racist War on Drugs head-on.

The MORE Act is the most comprehensive marijuana reform bill in Congress. Not only would it remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, but it would also expunge marijuana convictions and re-sentence people with marijuana convictions. That's particularly important now, as prisons and jails are tinderboxes for infection with COVID-19.

This groundbreaking legislation would have a positive impact on millions whose lives have been upended by the War on Drugs – and on communities nationwide.

Join the chorus of ACLU supporters calling for Congress to support just marijuana legalization through the MORE Act.

Thanks for taking action,

The ACLU Team

Friend –

Today, we're releasing new data on marijuana arrests nationwide. At a time when the criminal legal system is facing increasing pressure to release people vulnerable to COVID-19, this report could provide a road map to governors, prosecutors, judges, and others across the country to take steps to decarcerate – and save lives.

We've uncovered that law enforcement made 6.1 million marijuana related arrests – the majority for possession – over the past eight years, despite reform efforts. Just as troubling, racial disparities in these arrests haven't improved.

In every state – legalized, decriminalized, illegal – Black people are 3.6x more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white people, despite similar usage rates.

In fact, disparities have actually worsened in most states over the past decade.

One thing is certain: There's so much more we could be doing to ensure that marijuana is not just legalized – but done so in a way that combats racial disparities in arrests head-on. Our report outlines how to do just that. Learn more.

– The ACLU Team