Friend,

Even though 18 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana and another 13 states have decriminalized it, thousands of Americans still remain incarcerated nationwide, even in states that have already legalized it.

That ongoing precariousness between state and federal law is one of the reasons why Black and brown communities in particular are still suffering from cannabis criminalization. Despite similar use rates, Black Americans are arrested for cannabis possession nearly 4x more than white Americans.

It’s time to right this wrong. It’s time for justice.

That’s why, in the U.S. House, I voted to pass the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) to end federal marijuana prohibition. Now it’s the Senate’s turn to act!

Sign the petition calling on the U.S. Senate to address federal marijuana policy now.

The war on drugs has been a failure at stopping the manufacture, sale, or use of illegal drugs, especially marijuana. When it comes to the unequal impact of marijuana laws on communities of color, the stats are clear.  

While Black people account for just 12.5% of all substance users, they make up 30% of all drug-related arrests. Black people are more likely to be arrested even in states that have legalized marijuana, and almost all marijuana arrests are for mere possession.

In addition, once convicted, people of color serve harsher sentences for longer periods of time.

These racist and unjust drug policies have ripped apart families and destroyed communities.

It’s time to end the racist war on drugs. Sign the petition calling on the U.S. Senate to address federal marijuana policy now!

Thank you for being by my side as, together, we fight to end unjust laws and end systemic racism.

- Rashida