They were probably the only 'criminals' they could catch because of how they drive while intoxicated.

Anyone ever traumatized, persecuted, arrested, prosecuted, and especially convicted during the Marijuana Holocaust deserves reparations as surely as do Native Americans and descendents of slaves - when the US causes damage to its citizens via the law it has to fix it when those laws are deemed unjust.

They were probably the only 'criminals' they could catch because of how they drive while intoxicated.

HAHA! Truth........

Anyone ever traumatized, persecuted, arrested, prosecuted, and especially convicted during the Marijuana Holocaust deserves reparations as surely as do Native Americans and descendents of slaves - when the US causes damage to its citizens via the law it has to fix it when those laws are deemed unjust.

Great points. Agree 100%.

It may finally happen here in New York within a few months. Word on the street is legalized adult use of Cannabis may be the first legislation passed in the upcoming New York legislative session. Part of this will most likely include exoneration of pass cannabis convictions as well as reparations for those populations most negatively effected from decades of prohibition.

But then again, we're talking about New York State, one of the most corrupt, dysfunctional states in the union. "If anyone can f@ck it up, it will be Albany" as we like to say here in New York.

Anyone ever traumatized, persecuted, arrested, prosecuted, and especially convicted during the Marijuana Holocaust deserves reparations

Agreed

as surely as do Native Americans and descendants of slaves

No way.

Congratulations to the state of Illinois and its residents!

Illinois is across the river from "the deep south" (Paducah, KY). This is the closest legalization to the south to date. I am strongly considering checking out real estate in southern Illinois ... except for the fact that I do not want to live in southern Illinois!

How I wish that a southern politician would step up and voice the wishes and desires of their electorate. But alas! It took the Federal Government to get basic civil rights (see school desegregation) to even occur in the south.

Pay close attention to the election right about now! What happened to that slate of DEMOCRATS who were espousing progressive ideas and opinions? As I have pointed out several times through the years - the subject of legalization seems to vanish as election times draw nearer. Worse yet - with the exception of Bernie - the current "Democratic leaders" seem to be speaking out AGAINST legalization! Specifically, I am speaking of "OLD Joe" and "Skip the Primaries and Debates and Buy My Way to the Front of the Line Bloomberg"! As stated a while back - I will NOT vote for a Democrat who is against legalization! I just won't do it!

I will vote for Bernie or any other Democrat ... Hell! I'll vote for the Orange Menace if he'll address the issue on a Federal level. Why not? It won't be like the Democrats didn't have a chance!

Again - congratulations to Illinois!

I will NOT vote for a Democrat who is against legalization! I just won't do it!

For sure one of the most obvious corporate wolf butt showing out from under Democrat sheeps clothing.

In all fairness tho, no Republicans will touch marijuana at the federal level either so why single out Democrats on this - they are all hostage to Big Oil and Pharma, cannabis is a direct threat.

[Edited on 1/5/2020 by BrerRabbit]

[Edited on 1/5/2020 by BrerRabbit]

[... In all fairness tho, no Republicans will touch marijuana at the federal level either so why single out Democrats on this - they are all hostage to Big Oil and Pharma, cannabis is a direct threat.

The last presidential "election" turned into a political bar room brawl between two equally matched (and disliked) participants. In my mind, there was a lead pipe in the form of cannabis legalization lying right there for the Democrat challenger to pick up and way-lay her opponent with. Legalization might have been the issue that would've brought folks to the polls who have come to expect and accept that the Federal Government doesn't take them for real and chose to stay home instead.

Do I really want 4 more years of the current administration? Oh, hell no! But I figure he'll get removed from office or cardiac out before his next term is up anyway.

In my mind, there was a lead pipe in the form of cannabis legalization lying right there for the Democrat challenger to pick up

Any of the top federal contenders Dem or Rep will not touch that pipe. This has zero to do with politics - it is a no fly zone enforced by GlobalCorp.

Ive said it here a dozen times - Dem and Rep are shills for Big Oil and Big Pharma, they have no power. the Obama admin was a Whos Who of Monsanto. Monsanto wont allow cannabis. Big Oil wont allow it. Big Pharma - . . . now Im a broken record.

[Edited on 1/5/2020 by BrerRabbit]

I agree with what Rusty and Brer have articulated....This issue has been a no brainer one for both sides of the aisle yet they refuse to take it up and genuinely push for rescheduling at the federal level. Ironic on some level as it was Moscow Mitch who actually pushed for hemp rescheduling and made it happen via the latest agriculture bill..

My biggest dislike of Joe Biden, and I've said this for years now, is that he's been a long time drug warrior....A man who still thinks the drug war is winnable despite that it has caused far more damage and destruction to society than actual drug addiction. So much so as I suspect he somehow convinced Obama to not strongly push for rescheduling of cannabis.

For all the talk of criminal justice reform and trying to secure the youth vote, ending the federal prohibition of cannabis with simple rescheduling (and thus leaving the states to move forward of their own accord) is one of the most feasible ways to achieve such goals.

Especially now since many, many states have already reformed their cannabis laws. That is to say, there's ample political cover for most politicians fearful of blow back from their constituents. I guess in the end we're truly seeing the power of the interests against such reforms.

quote:
as surely as do Native Americans and descendants of slaves

No way

As much as I am glad that those convicted of marijuana convictions are being pardoned, I am going to have to go with Vince on this one. Reparations made to Native Americans and descendants of slaves for injustices to their ancestors? I think that one is really a stretch. Where does that end? Not every white person alive has always had a fair shake either. Like Irish living in New York in the 1800's?