NAACP Pushes to Legalize Marijuana

For years, it has been known that blacks have had a disproportionate number of arrests for drug charges in comparison to whites. Looks like NAACP has finally decided to address the issue--at least in the state of California. The California NAACP branch endorsed a November ballot measure to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Alice Huffman, president of the state NAACP chapter, stated: 'This is not a war on the drug lords, this is a war against young men and women of color,' Huffman said, adding later that, 'Once a young person is arrested and brought under the justice system, he or she is more likely to get caught in the criminal justice system again, further wasting tax dollars.'

NAACP advocates and backers of the endorsement feel that the state money being invested into enforcing marijuana laws would be better off going into more pressing agenda items like education.

Community leaders like Bishop Ron Allen (International Faith Based Coalition) expressed that he was 'shocked, stunned and surprised' by the endorsement. He said, 'If anyone should know what illicit drugs will do to an underserved community, we expect our civil rights leaders to have a better understanding than anyone else.'

If passed, Proposition 19 will also legalize the cultivation and transportation of Mary Jane. Looks like some drug dealers just might have to get their business plan together.