On Thursday, the Beto O’Rourke campaign announced a major plan to legalize weed in America and end the failed “War on Drugs.” His plan would allow the sale of marijuana to adults with an ID, much like alcohol sales; release those in jail for marijuana possession; and ensure medicinal marijuana is available to all those who need it.
“We need to not only end the prohibition on marijuana, but also repair the damage done to the communities of color disproportionately locked up in our criminal justice system or locked out of opportunity because of the War on Drugs,” said O’Rourke in a statement. “These inequalities have compounded for decades, as predominantly white communities have been given the vast majority of lucrative business opportunities, while communities of color still face over-policing and criminalization.”
His plan notes that white and black communities have similar rates of marijuana use, but African-Americans are almost 4 times more likely to be arrested for possession.
An O’Rourke Administration would launch an advertising campaign to warn of the dangers associated with marijuana to deter underage use. Smoking weed would be limited to private homes.
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