ACLU Supporter, knowing it's a busy time of year, we're going to be quick about this: For every person who has ever been convicted of marijuana-related offenses – who may be spending the holidays behind bars away from family or severely impacted by an unjust conviction – all because of something that is now legal or decriminalized in more than half of states, we're asking you to take action:

Send a message to your governor and ask them to use their power of clemency to pardon people with convictions for marijuana-related offenses under state laws.

President Joe Biden and Governors Kate Brown, JB Pritzker, and Tom Wolf have all provided pardons for people with marijuana convictions.

As a result of their executive actions, tens of thousands of people haunted by a criminal conviction now have the possibility of fewer barriers to housing, employment, education, and stability.

And to be clear: The people of this country agree with this path to redemption. The majority of Americans support clemency as one of many tools for correcting harsh sentences motivated by outdated policies. There is also increasingly bipartisan support for addressing significant racial bias in marijuana arrests – and after the midterm elections this year, 21 states have legalized marijuana.

ACLU Supporter, the fact is, since its inception, the War on Drugs has robbed hundreds of thousands of people of liberty and freedom. Most governors have the power to right these wrongs. And even in states where they do not have unilateral authority to commute sentences, they still have extreme influence and power to ensure clemency moves forward. It's time they take action.

Tell your governor: No one should be haunted by marijuana convictions – use your power of clemency today.

Sincerely,

Tara Stutsman
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Campaign Strategist, Justice Division, ACLU

P.S. If your governor has already taken these critical actions in your state, then we encourage you to still send a message. Just edit our pre-scripted letter to say, "Thank you for providing a pathway to redemption for countless people impacted by outdated marijuana policies."