New York, NY — Today, on International Women’s Day, Drug Policy Alliance and Women Grow partnered together for a statewide Women in Cannabis Lobby Day, bringing together directly impacted women, cannabis industry leaders, mothers, medical marijuana patients and allies to mobilize for legalization and call on the Legislature and Gov. Cuomo to legalize cannabis by passing the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (S.854/A.1248) now.
Statement from Melissa Moore, New York State Director of the Drug Policy Alliance and member of Start SMART NY Coalition (Sensible Marijuana Access through Regulated Trade):
“Marijuana legalization with justice, equity, and reinvestment is one of the top priorities for this legislative session. If our state is having a real conversation about listening to women, following women, and truly centering women’s experiences, then the Legislature and Governor need to pass marijuana justice now. Legalization is a gender justice issue.
Far too many times, officers have sexually harassed and violated women, femme-presenting and trans people using marijuana as the pretext for a stop. Countless women have had their children torn from their arms by child welfare services because of an allegation of marijuana use alone. Black and Latinx women in particular have been criminalized and seen their communities devastated by the marijuana arrest crusade. Women have been kicked out of their homes over marijuana prohibition, including grandmothers, aunts, and mothers who faced eviction just because a family member had a marijuana infraction. Young girls have been targeted and strip-searched in New York public schools because of unfounded marijuana allegations – including four 12-year-old girls in Binghamton who were inexcusably violated. The damage to women because of marijuana prohibition is extensive. We cannot stand for this.
On International Women’s Day and Women in Cannabis Lobby Day, Drug Policy Alliance stands with advocates, directly impacted women, business leaders, mothers, and elected officials from across New York calling on the Legislature and Governor to pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act immediately.”
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