State NAACP backs marijuana legalization initiative

Saying that prohibition takes a heavy toll on minorities, leaders of the NAACP's California chapter announced Monday that they are backing passage of a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

The war on drugs is a failure and disproportionately targets young men and women of color, particularly African-American males, said Alice Huffman, president of the NAACP's state conference.

The group cited statistics from the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice showing that in 2009, 62% of the state's marijuana arrests were of nonwhite suspects and that 42% were under 20.

The pattern was consistent in the state's 25 largest counties, with arrests of African Americans at double, triple and quadruple the rate of whites even though studies show that blacks use marijuana at lower rates than whites, NAACP officials said.

"We are joining a growing number of medical professionals, labor organizations, law enforcement authorities, local municipalities and approximately 56% of the public in saying that it is time to decriminalize the use of marijuana," Huffman said in a prepared statement.

November's measure, if approved, would allow people 21 and older to legally possess an ounce of cannabis. Marijuana sales would be taxed, potentially raising billions of dollars for government services. Opponents say legalization would increase crime and drug dependency.

-- Catherine Saillant

Comments

[voyager]

Who fabricated these statistics, saying that even lawenforcement organizations were for legalization of "weed"?

If you fall for this, you'll fall for anything.

"Bull" By the way, Iam not Politically Correct.

[Robert Keith]

100 years ago drugs were legal and Ameerica didn't have a drug problem.

[Reverend Herb]

Legalize it, regulate and tax it like tobacco, and watch the economy recover...... Ever heard of someone overdosing on marijuana? The federal prohibition on cannabis is completely unjustified considering the loose regulation on truly dangerous chemicals like nicotine and alcohol.....

[timmy t]

Why I'm not surprised, smoke bud and collect welfare.

[Gary Carter]

Environmental Justice Subcommittee
-Goal of intergration forwarded proposals
Chamber of Commerce (county)
Qualified Management Commensurate
-with degree responsibility grantee's position
Socially responsible practices
-among members/partners especially first tier suppliers
Issues of Concern Health Safety
-workers, communities, living wages, displacement/resettlement environmental impacts and social/sustainability issues highlighted by local community
(U.S. Bureau of Reclamation)
Commmittee Assembled
-Charter Review Committee
-Budgets/Benefits

[Michael Curtis]

Well "FINALLY" an issue I agree with them on....I can finally feel good about something this year.

[markiemark]

Imagine that...

[Bob]

"The group cited statistics from the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice showing that in 2009, 62% of the state's marijuana arrests were of nonwhite suspects and that 42% were under 20. "

Do statistics also show what percentage of minorities compared to the total populace are marijuana users? Also, do the statistics show how many of minority users are under 20 years of age?

Either they, the NAACP, is making the statements hyperbole or statistics show that the majority is too clever to get caught and when they do use they wait till they're over 20.

Since the statistics show that the trend is universal across 20 counties then I'm sure the NAACP might want to rethink their reasoning for supporting this measure. Which is a shame for I too support the measure but not for all the same reasons they do.

"We're discriminated against so make pot legal."

[Pamela Ricardson]

I agree Amen to decriminalization of marijuana even Sarah Palin smokes look how she acts you have to be high to talk like Sahara Palin so yes legalize marijuana throughout the nation.

[Iolanthe]

Voyager, not every fact you don't like is "fabricated."

Many law enforcement officers and organizations *do* favor marijuana legalization. Marijuana laws have harmed this society more than marijuana has harmed it, and the War on (Some) Drugs has shredded many of our constitutional protections.

[PMA]

This article is incorrect where it says that marijuana sales "would be taxed" under the November initiative. The initiative actually prevents California from ever taxing marijuana sales. Cities and counties could pass taxes on marijuana sales - but the Pot Lobby has already made it clear it will try to prevent any taxes from passing (and many existing pot stores fail to pay their taxes in any event). This whole tax revenue argument is a fraud. It's just another way the Pot Lobby is trying to con people into legalizing drug sales. I guess it's no surprise that the LA Times has fallen for this con. But the voters of California don't have to.

[Scott]

Dependency has little to do with Marijuana. The positives far out-weigh the the negatives in legalizing marijuana.

[Mikey]

Wow. Well, that just set the NAACP back about a hundred years. Because blacks are unfairly singled out for having pot, we should legalize it? Unbelievable...

[Henry]

ROFL. This is not a good headline. NAACP supports marijuana. Not very surprising.

[Joan]

The problem of discriminatory arrests should not be addressed by legalizing drugs. Drug abuse takes a heavy toll on communities of color and legalization will make the problem worse. Right now marijuana arrests for possession of small amounts in California do not result in jail time, and arrests are usually made at traffic stops or in schools. Teenagers of any color should not be using marijuana according to medical professionals and research. They are more likely to become addicted the younger they use, more likely to drop out of school, and risk mental health problems. Legalization will increase use by young people, so bad call NAACP. Shame on you for your bogus citing of law enforcement who are mainly against this initiative, including Kamala Harris, democratic candidate for Attorney General.

[Juno]

It's about time! Let's hope more organization's back the initiative. It's really mind boggling how won would be against decriminalizing marijuana while alcohol and tobacco are readily available for purchase. Both tobacco and alcohol abuse lead to major health issues and in some cases death. That's been proven over and over. There has never ever been a case of somebody dying from marijuana use.

[Gia]

The statistics are not fabricated at all. LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) is one of the organizations for legalization of Marijuana, to name a few.

[Duncan20903]

voyager, all you need do is to visit http://copssaylegalize.blogspot.com/ and you'll find an organization made up of current and former law enforcement professionals who see the stupidity in continuing to prosecute the unwinnable war on some drugs.

timmyt you're a disgusting and ignorant bigot.

[Robert]

They should legalize speeding too. There would be so many less tickets.

[pissed]

Of course they do. It will get a lot of brothers out of jail.

[Rafa]

For that ignorant, racist Timmy, that wrote, "Why I'm not surprised, smoke bud and collect welfare." I am college educated, employed, have never collected welfare and smoke bud. Like many of my white, black and brown counterparts, bud has neither detered us from being productive or successful. In fact, it is far more likely for an ignorant racist to be on welfare (or in prison) then it is for an educated bud smoker. Smoke on that loser!

[Cali B]

Let's do this!!!

[had nuff]

Those who believe smoking pot leads to drug dependency are ignorant. In addition the tax revenue to the state would be huge. The combined revenues from pot sales and fast food sales should pay a big chunk of our debt. Although that windfall may be offset in part by the reduction of fuel taxes because as we all know, stoners drive far fewer miles than "normal" people.

[Ace Clark]

Marijuana laws have made criminal gangs outside the US rich, and underprivilaged US citizens criminals. Alcohol and Tobacco are far more dangerous. We should legalize and tax to raise money, not to mention the money we will save on unnecessary prison population. It is common sense, so dont let your viseral instincts be manipulated.

[tumadre]

"studies show that blacks use marijuana at lower rates than whites" whatever LOL! Well I think the NAACP getting involved on this issue is awesome! It will be good for all the black men with high blood pressure. (studies have shown black men are at highest risk for hypertension) But in all seriousness, it's about time. 56%! In my lifetime a black President AND marijuana legalized. I wish my mom was alive to see this!