Black people are almost 10 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white people. And get this: In Franklin County, Massachusetts, a Black person is 117 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person is?
As a matter of fact, nationwide, marijuana arrests are still widespread, making up 43 percent of all drug arrests in the country — which is more than any other drug…once again, HUH?
Marijuana being classified as a Schedule I drug has allowed for the exploitation of the laws around it – harming Black and brown folks at alarming rates. It’s been this way for years. Plus, this scheduling limits necessary research and hinders the process toward legalization and potential medicinal usage.
President Biden took the right step last October when he issued a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana. But this is not nearly enough. That’s why we’re calling on him to prioritize the removal of marijuana being a Schedule I drug. Sign the petition and join us.