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The NAACP's California chapter recently backed legislation to legalize marijuana, stating that existing laws are biased against minorities. The group also highlighted the high arrest rate of African Americans, claiming that it dramatically exceeds that of whites.
"Justice is the quality of being just and fair, and these laws have been neither just nor fair," said Alice Huffman, president of the California State Conference of the NAACP.
The measure, which is going to be on the November ballot, would allow residents to legally grow small gardens of marijuana, letting individual counties and cities decide whether to allow the marijuana to be sold.
Not everyone is happy about this measure though. International Faith-Based Coalition President Ron Allen is against the NAACP's backing of the measure and is vocal is in his opposition.
"The NAACP does not represent the African American community when it comes to legalizing marijuana," Allen said.
Allen might be in the minority on this issue, however, as there are many community activists who feel that the support of the NAACP will signal broader backing of the measure.
"There have not been high-profile organizations or elected officials within African American communities to say enough is enough. We have to end marijuana prohibition. This is really a first," said Stephen Gutwillig, California director of the Drug Policy Alliance.
Allen is correct in that the NAACP doesn't speak for the entire black community on the marijuana issue. But the truth is that the group doesn't speak for the entire community on many issues, including illegal immigration and support for Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court.
What must be remembered, however, is that the NAACP leadership also understands that it doesn't speak for the entire black community, primarily because it would be impossible for the entire black community to be represented by one voice. The group is a strong advocate for African Americans, and the world is better with the NAACP than it would be without it.
On the issue of legalizing drugs, there are clear benefits to seeing marijuana as a public health issue rather than one that involves criminalization. A little weed has not, to my knowledge, hurt anyone. Although I've never tried it myself, I am not overly concerned with its legalization. There are also tremendous tax benefits to cash-strapped communities, especially California, where taxation of the multibillion-dollar marijuana industry would be a huge step in helping the state overcome its serious budget crisis.
A final point that must be acknowledged, and Allen addresses this quite well, is the fact that the black community is quite conservative. It's hard to imagine black church leadership ever standing behind the legalization of marijuana, or any drug, which certainly reminds us that the NAACP will likely get even more resistance on this issue.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (11)
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By: rik on 6/30/2010 1:29PM
"A little weed has not, to my knowledge, hurt anyone,"
Well good, so lets try it out on your family, first. Lets allow your children, nieces and nephews, to get high every day, all in the name of tax benefits.
"world is better with the NAACP than it would be without it". There actions would indicate otherwise. Yeah thats all our community needs is more folks standing around getting high.
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By: anon on 7/02/2010 2:12AM
Shut the fuck up kid; if it's legalized you will still have to be 21 to smoke it. And you spelled their wrong.
l2spell
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By: Conservative Christian on 6/30/2010 1:28PM
The black community in much of America has been destroyed by the targetting of black males for selective enforcement of marijuana laws . Yes, let's work together to eliminate selective enforcement, but in the meantime, let's eliminate this repressive tool of racial discrimination . Prison is MUCH more harmful to the black community than marijuana has ever been. Let's stop putting our own citizens in jail over such a silly thing as marijuana.
You can get over an addiction, but you'll never get over a conviction.
The NAACP has done the right thing.
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By: Conservative Christian on 6/30/2010 1:32PM
Put the criminal drug gangs out of business; let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
Safer than aspirin; less addictive than coffee. Register. Vote. Change things.
Here are the links to REGISTER TO VOTE in a few of the states with mj laws on the ballot in November. And while we're talking, tell people to be on the watch for the "October Surprise", some trumped-up bad "news" about marijuana that will be intended to persuade voters at the last minute. Register to VOTE and tell your friends to not fall for the "October Surprise!"
(Remove the spaces in the h t t p :// w w w portions of the link and then paste the link into your browser)
ARIZONA citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .azsos.gov/election/voterregistration.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 3, 2010.
CALIFORNIA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p s://w w w .sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/ Just fill out the form and mail it in!
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 17, 2010.
COLRADO citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ . There’s a link in the “Voter Information” section. Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 1, 2010.
GEORGIA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 4, 2010.
KANSAS citizens can register to vote at
h t t p s://w w w .kdor.org/voterregistration/Default.aspx
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 16 or 17, 2010.
MAINE citizens have to register in person; you can read about it at h t t p ://w w w .maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voterguide.html
In Maine, you can apparently register all the way up until election day, so Maine citizens, let’s turn out to vote!
MICHIGAN citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-50050_50420-175878--,00.html
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 1, 2010.
MINNESOTA citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 10, 2010.
MONTANA citizens can check their registration status and find other information at h t t p s://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/ or get the voter registration form at h t t p ://w w w .co.yellowstone.mt.gov/elections/ (sorry, I couldn’t find a state-wide site for this. I hope this gives you a good starting point, Montana!)
NEVADA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://nvsos.gov/index.aspx?page=76
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 12.
NORTH CAROLINA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=23
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 7, 2010.
OREGON citizens can register online at
h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.or.us/elections/votreg/vreg.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 16.
SOUTH DAKOTA citizens can get the voter registration form online at
h t t p ://w w w .sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/registrationvoting.shtm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 10.
WASHINGTON citizens can register online at
h t t p ://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/RegistertoVote.aspx
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 4, 2010.
Other states: Google your State name and the phrase “voter registration” to find out how to REGISTER TODAY so you can VOTE in NOVEMBER
I may be a day or two off on some of the registration dates, so (1) get this done early and (2) even if you get this info on or after the dates I’ve listed, go ahead and try to register. This is our chance to make a difference!
Go online right now and get this one behind you, and you can vote in November!
Safer than aspirin; less addictive than coffee. Register. Vote. Change things.
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By: Concerned Parent on 7/01/2010 3:09PM
Let's put the drug criminals out of business. Let's let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
Safer than aspirin; less addictive than coffee. Register. Vote. Change things.
Here are the links to REGISTER TO VOTE in a few of the states with mj laws on the ballot in November. And while we're talking, tell people to be on the watch for the "October Surprise", some trumped-up bad "news" about marijuana that will be intended to persuade voters at the last minute. Register to VOTE and tell your friends to not fall for the "October Surprise!"
(Remove the spaces in the h t t p :// w w w portions of the link and then paste the link into your browser)
ARIZONA citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .azsos.gov/election/voterregistration.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 3, 2010.
CALIFORNIA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p s://w w w .sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/ Just fill out the form and mail it in!
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 17, 2010.
COLRADO citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ . There’s a link in the “Voter Information” section. Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 1, 2010.
GEORGIA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 4, 2010.
KANSAS citizens can register to vote at
h t t p s://w w w .kdor.org/voterregistration/Default.aspx
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 16 or 17, 2010.
MAINE citizens have to register in person; you can read about it at h t t p ://w w w .maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voterguide.html
In Maine, you can apparently register all the way up until election day, so Maine citizens, let’s turn out to vote!
MICHIGAN citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-50050_50420-175878--,00.html
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 1, 2010.
MINNESOTA citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 10, 2010.
MONTANA citizens can check their registration status and find other information at h t t p s://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/ or get the voter registration form at h t t p ://w w w .co.yellowstone.mt.gov/elections/ (sorry, I couldn’t find a state-wide site for this. I hope this gives you a good starting point, Montana!)
NEVADA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://nvsos.gov/index.aspx?page=76
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 12.
NORTH CAROLINA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=23
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 7, 2010.
OREGON citizens can register online at
h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.or.us/elections/votreg/vreg.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 16.
SOUTH DAKOTA citizens can get the voter registration form online at
h t t p ://w w w .sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/registrationvoting.shtm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 10.
WASHINGTON citizens can register online at
h t t p ://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/RegistertoVote.aspx
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 4, 2010.
Other states: Google your State name and the phrase “voter registration” to find out how to REGISTER TODAY so you can VOTE in NOVEMBER
I may be a day or two off on some of the registration dates, so (1) get this done early and (2) even if you get this info on or after the dates I’ve listed, go ahead and try to register. This is our chance to make a difference!
Go online right now and get this one behind you, and you can vote in November!
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By: Conservative Christian on 7/01/2010 3:09PM
Let's put the drug dealing criminals out of business. Let's let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
Safer than aspirin; less addictive than coffee. Register. Vote. Change things.
Here are the links to REGISTER TO VOTE in a few of the states with mj laws on the ballot in November. And while we're talking, tell people to be on the watch for the "October Surprise", some trumped-up bad "news" about marijuana that will be intended to persuade voters at the last minute. Register to VOTE and tell your friends to not fall for the "October Surprise!"
(Remove the spaces in the h t t p :// w w w portions of the link and then paste the link into your browser)
ARIZONA citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .azsos.gov/election/voterregistration.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 3, 2010.
CALIFORNIA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p s://w w w .sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/ Just fill out the form and mail it in!
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 17, 2010.
COLRADO citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ . There’s a link in the “Voter Information” section. Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 1, 2010.
GEORGIA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 4, 2010.
KANSAS citizens can register to vote at
h t t p s://w w w .kdor.org/voterregistration/Default.aspx
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 16 or 17, 2010.
MAINE citizens have to register in person; you can read about it at h t t p ://w w w .maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voterguide.html
In Maine, you can apparently register all the way up until election day, so Maine citizens, let’s turn out to vote!
MICHIGAN citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-50050_50420-175878--,00.html
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 1, 2010.
MINNESOTA citizens can register to vote at h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 10, 2010.
MONTANA citizens can check their registration status and find other information at h t t p s://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/ or get the voter registration form at h t t p ://w w w .co.yellowstone.mt.gov/elections/ (sorry, I couldn’t find a state-wide site for this. I hope this gives you a good starting point, Montana!)
NEVADA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://nvsos.gov/index.aspx?page=76
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 12.
NORTH CAROLINA citizens can register to vote at
h t t p ://w w w .sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=23
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 7, 2010.
OREGON citizens can register online at
h t t p ://w w w .sos.state.or.us/elections/votreg/vreg.htm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 16.
SOUTH DAKOTA citizens can get the voter registration form online at
h t t p ://w w w .sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/registrationvoting.shtm
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 10.
WASHINGTON citizens can register online at
h t t p ://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/RegistertoVote.aspx
Registration for the November 2, 2010 election appears to be open until October 4, 2010.
Other states: Google your State name and the phrase “voter registration” to find out how to REGISTER TODAY so you can VOTE in NOVEMBER
I may be a day or two off on some of the registration dates, so (1) get this done early and (2) even if you get this info on or after the dates I’ve listed, go ahead and try to register. This is our chance to make a difference!
Go online right now and get this one behind you, and you can vote in November!
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By: whatsthebigdeal on 6/30/2010 2:03PM
I'm all for the legalization of weed. Although I'm not a weed smoker myself, I've never seen anyone do anything drastically dangerous while high. (Usualy they're to busy looking for something to munch on). Another point I would like to make is this-cigarettes are legal. Cigarettes, and cigars cause cancer,lung disease etc. , a person can die just off smoking cigars, and cigrettes, a person can't die from smoking too much weed. So how can somehting that can kill people be legal? and another substance that doesn't be illegal?
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By: TaxAndControl2010 on 6/30/2010 2:33PM
Learn more about the campaign to legalize, control, and tax cannabis in California at www.taxcannabis.org. And become a fan of the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/taxcannabis. Thanks!
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By: grimlock on 7/01/2010 2:21PM
You all need to get real! Jim Crow is still kkkickin and he loves prohibition. Watch these videos and open your mind. ~~~~
Black US Marshal tells it like it is.
http://www.leap.cc/link/144 ~~~~
Ethan Holder speaks at NAACP conference. Take 8 minutes to learn the hard truth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB1cPMLfOeo&NR=1 ~~~~
American Drug War: The Last White Hope
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=56870673B5A56210&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&v=fNrtdNwyZuA ~~~~
Some choice quotes from Harry J. Anslinger, the man who started cannabis prohibition
“Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men.”
“the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”
“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.” ~~~~
America, the land of the free, you can use (yr 2000 deaths)
Tobacco: 435,000,
Unhealthy food/Not exercise: 365,000,
Alcohol 85,000,
Prescription meds: 32,000,
A gun: 29,000,
But not cannabis: 0. ~~~~
Life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness? Only if it’s a deadly, U.S. approved happiness.
The most dangerous thing about Cannabis is being arrested. In addition to the jail time, loss of employment opportunities & stigma, you can lose your rights to govt. assistance such as student loans, housing etc. Rapists & murderers still qualify though. ~~~~
Why make such a big fuss over something that by comparison seems harmless? When you look at the numbers and the facts not the rhetoric, it’s hard not to draw the conclusion that prohibition is being used as a tool to disenfranchise people of color. ~~~~
Disproportionate results of prohibition on people of color:
*Broken families,
*Property seizures,
*Loss of employment opportunities,
*Home/Property devalued (then bought),
*Loss of student loans,
*Loss of Housing Assistance,
*Wrongful deaths from police raids (do a web search for Trevon Cole),
*Incarceration which leads to indoctrination into gangs.
What does common sense tell you?
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By: Tim Stevenson on 7/03/2010 4:47PM
The Black community has a sad history in the drug use area I for one believe it is a added mechanism in the effort to destroy the will of the Black race, just like the period of time when Blacks were not allowed to read or write. Keep smoking the education can wait!!
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