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B&G Wednesday, Nov 4, 2015: Racism of Cannabis Criminalization

Submitted by rhunt
on Fri, 10/30/2015 - 11:49am
Date: 
11/04/2015 - 7:00pm

FORUM: Racism of Cannabis Criminalization

WHEN: 7 pm, Wednesday, November 4, 2015

WHERE: Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar (near Union) 63108

*  Kenny Murdock, WGNU920 The Murdock Report

*  John Payne, Show-Me Cannabis

*  LeShea Agnew, NPR Affiliate Reporter

*  Derek Laney, Missourians Organizing for Reform & Empowerment

*  Fred Raines [Green Party of St. Louis, moderator]

Marijuana used to be legal in the US.  Criminalizing it was steeped in racism, as is the current “War on Drugs.”  Even when different ethnic groups use marijuana at the same rate, blacks and Hispanics are more likely than whites to be stopped by police, have their cars searched, be arrested, be convicted, and do longer jail time.  An arrest for marijuana can impact a professional career, even when a person is not convicted.  This fits into a pattern of racism, which includes unemployment, inadequate housing, police harassment, and having fewer resources for crises.