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Missouri Cannabis Education
Why Do Some Suffer the Repercussions of Cannabis Convictions Despite Legalization ? It ’ s the month we have all been waiting for ― Happy 4 / 20 !
by Leah Maurer , contributing writer
Leah
Leah Maurer , a native Missourian , is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland , OR . She is a co-owner of www . TheWeedBlog . com , a top national cannabis news and information publication , where she serves as the Editorial Lead . In 2014 , Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone , it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure , successfully legalizing recreational / adult-use cannabis in the OR . Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally .
While we have so much to celebrate on this cannabis holiday , there is still so much to learn and advocate for . In that light , I thought it would be a good time to discuss how cannabis policy has affected both arrests and imprisonment so that we can all be more educated as consumers and , really , as citizens overall .
With Missouri ( and a growing number of states ) legalizing cannabis , there ’ s been a sense of progress and liberation surrounding its acceptance . While we can enjoy legalized cannabis and consume it freely , there are thousands and thousands of people in Missouri and across the U . S . who are still serving time for cannabis-related convictions or whose families are feeling the impact of the longtime criminalization of cannabis despite the changing legal landscape .
According to the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ), in 2021 , there were over 40,000 people incarcerated in state and federal prisons solely for cannabis offenses . Shockingly , despite the legalization trend , these numbers have not seen a significant decline in recent years .
One of the primary reasons for this discrepancy is the retrospective nature of legalization efforts . While new laws may prevent future arrests and convictions for cannabis-related activities , they often fail to address those who are still wrapped up in the criminal justice system . Consequently , individuals with prior cannabis convictions continue to face the enduring consequences of their past interactions with outdated cannabis laws .
Additionally , the impact of cannabis criminalization disproportionately affects communities of color , revealing the deeply entrenched racism within the criminal justice system . Despite similar usage rates across racial demographics , Black , Indigenous , and Latinx individuals are significantly more likely to be arrested and convicted for cannabis offenses . This racial disparity in enforcement perpetuates systemic inequities , exacerbating the cycle of poverty and incarceration within marginalized communities .
Historically , cannabis prohibition has been weaponized as a tool of racial oppression . Today , this racist legacy continues to shape enforcement practices , with Black and brown individuals bearing the brunt of punitive drug policies .
Addressing the ongoing incarceration of individuals for cannabis-related offenses requires a multifaceted approach aimed at both legislative reform and societal reintegration , with a particular focus on
12 April 2024