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| Friend, Last week voters in Austin, Texas passed a ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana and ban no-knock police warrants with more than 85% of the vote. Our political and advocacy arm, Drug Policy Action, was proud to support this initiative, and we congratulate Ground Game Texas for leading this campaign to victory! Austin police can no longer arrest people for possessing small amounts of marijuana. And they’re banned from using no-knock warrants to forcibly enter homes and properties unannounced which have been commonly deployed in drug investigations – the most far-reaching ban of its kind in Texas. Many other cities in Texas are considering similar efforts to decriminalize marijuana and reform drug laws. Southern states like Texas have some of the most punitive drug laws in the country, and passing desperately needed reform through legislatures is often close to impossible. This win is an example of overcoming obstacles to change with meaningful drug policy reform at the local level. It’s also a significant start to rolling back the unchecked police power and aggressive tactics used to wage the drug war – which in too many instances has led to killings, particularly of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people. It’s become far too common for police to enter homes without warning, in rapid military-style raids using explosive devices, chemical agents, high-powered assault rifles, often wearing military-style body armor. These raids have become routine by narcotics teams pursuing drug evidence and often occurring late at night or in the early morning. Disempowering police from using these practices is a crucial part of dismantling the drug war and tactics that have terrorized households and communities in the pursuit of drugs and beyond. It’s exciting to see more and more places like Austin winning these important local reforms. With your support, DPA has been leading the effort to end police militarization at the federal level. From ensuring policing reform bans no-knock warrants and militarized quick-knock raids to advocating for abolishing the 1033 program that provides police with free military equipment and weapons to enforce the drug war. Join our federal fight by taking action in support of a sweeping bill that would demilitarize local law enforcement across the country.
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