How do we Legalize it?
How do we legalize it? Adam Chaney [@chaney_aj]
Hello all! Adam here, and I want to take this week's column to talk about the importance of the democratic process. I know...I know. Don’t go to sleep on me just yet! If you are reading this, you most likely already know that Moonstone educates and advocates for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis. We stand on the shoulders of generations of advocates before us and yet, cannabis use is still illegal in many places throughout the U.S. Last week, Cullen did an excellent job of explaining how FDA drug scheduling works and where cannabis is in the process of being rescheduled at the federal level. Despite positive progress, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug, which is defined as a “drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” So how do we speed this progress up and what can you do to help legalize cannabis where you live?
Of course, you can educate and advocate. You can write your elected officials. You can join a protest or public demonstration. But the most powerful tool you have is your democratic vote! Voting empowers you to foster positive changes within your community and shape a higher quality of life for both yourself and your family. By casting your vote alongside neighbors, family members, and friends, you collectively ensure that your common values and concerns receive the attention they deserve. This participation allows you to actively select representatives who will advocate for your interests and allocate government resources where they are needed most. Increased voter turnout amplifies our collective voices, enhancing the likelihood that issues of significance will receive the attention they require.
The individuals on your ballot each voting season are the same individuals who decide which policies and laws will have a direct daily impact on your personal life. If you choose to vote for a candidate who opposes cannabis legalization, then you are essentially voting against cannabis legalization. Obviously, the reverse is also true. Get informed about the positions held by your representatives at all levels of government; local, state, federal. These days, cannabis is becoming less of a bi-partisan issue. Many Republicans and Democrats actually agree on something! Can you believe it? This is, in the long term, a winning political issue. However, policy and law will only change if you cast your vote! Voting matters because your voice, your input, and your perspectives matter.
Did you know that not everyone in your community has the right to vote? Citizens who have been convicted of a felony charge cannot vote while incarcerated, while on probation, or while on parole. This is why the Legalize It movement must be coupled with criminal justice reform and, specifically, the expungement of criminal charges for cannabis possession. Once again, that change in policy and law will only occur if the people vote! If you are unsure about your voter registration status, visit HYPERLINK "https://vote.gov/"https://vote.gov today!
TLDR: To speed up cannabis legalization, the most powerful tool you have is your vote. Voting helps select officials who will advocate for your interests, like cannabis legalization. Increased voter turnout strengthens collective voices on key issues. Criminal justice reform is also essential, as those with felony charges often can't vote. Check your voter registration at HYPERLINK "https://vote.gov/"https://vote.gov.