rectifying racial injustices . Missouri circuit courts have cleared more than 100,000 cannabis charges from people ’ s criminal records so far , which was a mandate of Amendment 3 , which legalized adult-use cannabis in Missouri in 2022 . However , court officials said it ’ s hard to determine how many more charges are left because many court records are not digitized .
Here are some potential solutions :
● Expungement and Record Sealing : State governments should prioritize the automatic expungement or sealing of criminal records for individuals with non-violent cannabis convictions , with a specific emphasis on communities disproportionately impacted by racial bias . Automatic expungement is ideal but is not always easy or even possible for the court system , as mentioned above regarding Missouri ’ s current situation .
● Sentence Commutations and Pardons : Governors and other relevant authorities should utilize their executive powers to commute sentences or grant pardons to individuals serving time for cannabis offenses , recognizing the racial disparities inherent in enforcement practices .
● Community Reinvestment : Tax revenue generated from legal cannabis sales should be reinvested into communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization , with a focus on addressing the socioeconomic factors that contribute to racial disparities in arrest and conviction rates .
● Equitable Access to the Cannabis Industry : Efforts should be made to ensure that individuals with prior convictions , particularly those from marginalized communities , have equitable opportunities to participate in the legal cannabis industry , thereby addressing the economic inequities perpetuated by prohibition .
● Continued Advocacy and Education : Public awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts should continue to highlight the racist history of cannabis criminalization and the disproportionate impact on communities of color . By fostering a deeper understanding of the issue , communities can mobilize support for meaningful change , which is crucial and is a big part of why I am bringing this issue to the forefront as we celebrate the 4 / 20 holiday .
It ’ s imperative that we confront the social injustices intertwined in cannabis policy , as well as the racist legacy of cannabis criminalization , and work towards a more just and equitable future . While the tide of legalization is turning , we cannot ignore the individuals whose lives have been irreparably harmed by past policies , particularly those from marginalized communities . By implementing targeted reforms and prioritizing social justice , we can dismantle the systemic barriers perpetuating inequality within our criminal justice system .
Remember to advocate when you celebrate this year . Happy 4 / 20 !
Have a cannabis education related question for Leah ? She ’ s a St . Louis native and a cannabis activist since 2010 ! Leah is excited to help answer all your medical marijuana questions . Please send questions to leah @ theweedblog . com . Your question may be featured in a future issue of The EVOLUTION Magazine .
Notice : The information contained herein is not intended as medical advice , diagnosis or treatment advice , but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience . The content is for general informational purposes only . As always , check with your doctor first .
Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising . Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products .
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