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John –
I have a medical marijuana license and use cannabis oil before bed.
Truthfully, I feel really nervous and vulnerable telling you that as a Congressional candidate because there is still so much stigma and stereotyping around this herb, especially for working class people of color like myself.
But my story is one of thousands that are important to tell.
I was a straight-edge, nerdy, overachiever type growing up. I thought I would never try any of the substances that I learned (a lot of misinformation) about in Nancy Reagan’s D.A.R.E. classes, and I knew I couldn’t afford to while I was under military contract from age 18 to 31.
I served as a combat veteran and when I first came home from war, I thought I was fine and planned to just move on with my life. In truth, I was traumatized and, like many veterans, I struggled to reintegrate. I suffered chronic pain, severe insomnia, and when I could finally sleep, I often woke up screaming from nightmares. I was having panic attacks in crowded places or cars driving more than 30 miles per hour.
I didn’t really understand what was happening to me and thankfully my partner pushed me to go to therapy. The VA offered me pharmaceuticals, but for years I had watched my friends become addicted, experience frightening side effects, so I declined and spent years suffering in silence.
Eventually my symptoms were mostly under control, and when I got out of the Army, I finally started to heal. Then the pandemic struck and my body snapped back to the symptoms I had experienced post-deployment. I went days without being able to sleep which took a toll on my body. I reached out to my loved ones and a friend, a fellow veteran, told me he had dealt with similar issues and how medical cannabis gave him his life back. He helped me apply for my card and access to a treatment that's natural, non-addictive that gave me my life back too.
My situation is similar to so many around the country, but I consider myself privileged. I live in a state where legal access is an option. I could afford the cost to see a doctor that could issue my license. I worked at a job that wouldn’t discriminate against me for using this medicine outside of work hours. I can still afford my medicine out of pocket cost that my insurance doesn't cover – since federal criminalization prevents insurance and the VA from covering it.
My personal story is only one of many reasons I adamantly support cannabis decriminalization. The reality is that cannabis is less addictive and less dangerous than alcohol and no one should be behind bars or criminalized for possessing it or using it.
Marijuana reform is criminal justice reform. Period. The criminalization of weed is a major perpetrator of our current inhumane mass incarceration system, and it’s high time we end these unnecessary convictions. In New York City, Hispanic residents are arrested on low-level marijuana charges at 5X TIMES the rates of white people, and Black residents are arrested at 8X TIMES the rates of white people – despite similar rates of usage.
It is high time we fight for a politics of care, not criminalization: Legalize marijuana on the federal level, immediately releasing those imprisoned for non-violent marijuana charges and expunge their record in the process. And INVEST in treatment programs for individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental issues.
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Legal weed is also a healthcare issue. Our healthcare system already makes it challenging to access care – why restrict treatment even further?
Finally, marijuana legalization is the jolt our economy needs right now. If cannabis were legal in all 50 states and at the federal level, there would be millions of new jobs, billions of state and federal revenue for government spending.
We are building a politics of love and care, not criminalization.
I know this email is long, John. But that’s because this issue gets at the heart of my values. We all know that supporting this movement is a win-win-win: it will boost our economy, reduce rates of incarceration, and support folks with chronic pain.
Together, we can make it happen!
With love and solidarity,
Brittany Ramos DeBarros for NY-11
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