Thread by @70MillionJobs, #420 #ThreadOn #420day, we want to remind you that while this celebration [...]

#420 #Thread

On #420day, we want to remind you that while this celebration may be the source of profit & pleasure for some...
...for others, it is a source of pain.

The prosecution and conviction of communities of color for #marijuana related charges remains highly imbalanced.

2. In recognition of this issue, here are some resources you can use to learn more about the history of incarceration for #Cannabis, as well efforts being made to address these inequities.

We& #39;ll address both what has happened, as well as what& #39;s being done about it.

3. via @USATODAY

"Nation& #39;s failed weed war turned many into prisoners and others into moguls:
Ferrell Scott is spending life in a federal prison for selling large amounts of marijuana. Entrepreneurs are making millions now doing the same thing." https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/opinion/lifers/2019/09/04/pot-weed-war-marijuana-prison-life-sentence-lifers/2057276001/">https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/...

Nation's failed weed war turned many into prisoners and others into moguls

Ferrell Scott is spending life in a federal prison for selling large amounts of marijuana. Entrepreneurs are making millions now doing the same thing.

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/opinion/lifers/2019/09/04/pot-weed-war-marijuana-prison-life-sentence-lifers/2057276001/

4. via @nytimes

Boehner Benefits From Weed. Blacks Are in Prison for Using It https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/opinion/boehner-marijuana-blacks-prison.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/1...

Opinion | Boehner Benefits From Weed. Blacks Are in Prison for Using It.

Even as laws against the drug disappear, blacks convicted of marijuana offenses languish in jail.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/opinion/boehner-marijuana-blacks-prison.html

4. via @ACLU

Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers:
"52% of all drug-related arrests in 2010 were for marijuana" https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers">https://www.aclu.org/gallery/m...

Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers

According to the ACLU’s original analysis, marijuana arrests now account for over half of all drug arrests in the United States. Of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, 88% were

https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers

5. via @DrugPolicyOrg

Did you know....
Amount spent annually in the U.S. on the war on drugs: $47+ billion

Number of drug arrests that were for possession only: 1,429,299

Number of people arrested for a marijuana law violation in 2018: 663,367

https://www.drugpolicy.org/issues/drug-war-statistics">https://www.drugpolicy.org/issues/dr...

6. Now let& #39;s look at what& #39;s being done about this:

#SocialEquity programs are cropping up in legalized states throughout the country, providing subsidies, reduced fees & access to low-interest loans for businesses founded by / employ disparately impacted community members.

7. A good example of this program is the state of #Illinois.

Check out their #SocialEquity program page here: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/CannabisEquity/Pages/default.aspx">https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Cann...

8. Other states who offer #socialequity provisions—varying in size and efficacy—are California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Learn more about these programs here: https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-not-all-states-cannabis-social-equity-programs-are-equal/">https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-not...

Chart: Not all cannabis social equity programs are equal

While a growing number of states have included social equity provisions in their marijuana programs, they’re approaching the issue in a variety of ways - with varying results.

https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-not-all-states-cannabis-social-equity-programs-are-equal/

9. Finally, check out our friends at the @lastprisonerprj who are doing a lot of incredible work around advocacy and employment in the #cannabis and #criminaljustice space.

Visit their website here: https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/ ">https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/">...

Last Prisoner Project | Cannabis Criminal Justice Reform Nonprofit

Last Prisoner Project is a non profit organization dedicated to repairing the past and continuing harms of the criminalization of cannabis through interventon, advocacy, and awareness.

https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/

10. Please feel free to ask us any questions about how to get involved in supporting a better future for folks affected by #cannabis charges, to advocate for those currently incarcerated, etc.

In the meantime, we believe that the best first step is to educate yourself!

#420

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