Thread by @ScottHech

🚨 MARIJUANA JUSTICE. A deal has been reached. This isn’t merely “legalization.” It’s also repairing the harm exacted on Black & Brown communities. A model for the nation. Early this week, the NY legislature will vote. Then onto Gov. Cuomo. Thread w/ more: nytimes.com/2021/03/25/nyr…

In NYC, the average marijuana arrest rate among high marijuana arrest precincts is 15 times higher than low arrest precincts. Between 2010-2019, there were 8 times as many arrests of Black and Latinx people as white people for marijuana.

In Buffalo, the average marijuana arrest rate among the high marijuana arrest zip codes is 68 times higher than that of the low arrest zip codes, and there were 3 times as many marijuana arrests of Black people as there were of white people. #PassTheMRTA

In New Rochelle, the arrest rate in the high marijuana arrest zip code is 7.5 times more than the low arrest zip code and Black ppl comprise 45.8% of all marijuana arrests between 2018-Jan 2021 despite being 20.1% of New Rochelle’s population. #PassTheMRTA

In Syracuse, the average marijuana arrest rate in high marijuana arrest zip codes is 8.8 times higher than low arrest zip codes with Black people comprising 80% of all marijuana arrests - despite similar rates of use. #PassTheMRTA

From NYC to New Rochelle to Syracuse to Buffalo people of color are consistently over-represented in marijuana arrests. The pandemic has similar disproportionately ravaged communities of color. It’s time to reverse these draconian laws and reinvest in the communities harmed.

Legalization makes dollars and sense, but we also need justice.

If the Legislature can #PassTheMRTA:

✅ Reinvest tax revenue into Black & brown communities
✅ Address criminal penalties & expunge marijuana convictions
✅ Create economic opportunities for POC communities

Legalizing cannabis puts New York on the road to economic recovery. The entire cannabis industry has the potential to create 50,000+ jobs, $2.2 billion in worker pay, and a total of $6.1 billion in economic output.

Legalizing cannabis advances racial justice.
Legalizing cannabis builds toward economic justice.
Legalizing cannabis reforms criminal justice.
Legalizing cannabis promotes social justice.

HELP US IN THE FINAL PUSH: Let’s flood Speaker Heastie, and Leader Stewart-Cousins with calls to #PassTheMRTA now! And tell Gov Cuomo to sign the bill right away.

The #MRTA is the way to legalize cannabis in New York state: bit.ly/NYleadersMJ