Jack: 

We’ve made great progress on legalizing marijuana at the state and municipal level—most recently here in New York State. But a patchwork of laws is insufficient. The federal prohibition of marijuana is a criminal justice issue, a health care issue, and an economic issue. Consider this:

• Black and brown Americans are more likely to be arrested for non-violent marijuana offenses than white Americans. The unfair enforcement of our current marijuana laws is a continuation of the institutional racism that has defined our criminal justice system for decades.

• Fully legalized marijuana is a health care issue. Marijuana has enormous benefits for a wide range of medical issues, from chronic pain to seizure disorders to cancer treatments. But access is limited by insurance coverage and availability, even in states where medical marijuana is legal. 

• Marijuana is a major economic opportunity and revenue source. In Colorado and Washington, where marijuana has been decriminalized and taxed since 2014, marijuana taxes have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars. 

• Legalization offers the opportunity to enact economic justice. We have a responsibility to reinvest in communities most impacted by the War on Drugs and direct revenue toward women- and minority-owned small cannabis businesses.

Over two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization, but we want to hear from you: Should marijuana be legalized nationwide?

YES>>>                NO>>>

Thank you for adding your voice. 

-Team Gillibrand