Every 37 Seconds: The Reality of Prohibition in America
Someone Gets Arrested for Cannabis Every 37 Seconds—And—Black People Are Being Disproportionately Affected
Have you seen this ad yet?
Gary Chambers Jr. is running for Louisiana’s Senate, and his very first campaign ad has sparked a lot of much-needed conversation.
His ad entitled 37 Seconds opens with this line: “Every 37 seconds, someone is arrested for possession of marijuana.”
And that’s just him getting warmed up.
This ad is packed with fact after fact about the War on Drugs—things we seldom hear politicians in America talk about.
Click here to watch the full ad on his Instagram.
Chambers continues: “Since 2010, state and local police have arrested an estimated 7.3 million Americans for violating marijuana laws.”
This accounts for over half of all drug-related arrests!
And then there’s the clincher.
Because you know we can’t talk about the War on Drugs without bringing up racial disparity.
Gary Chambers Jr.’s First Campaign Ad
“Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana laws than white people.”
And this comes with a significant loss of rights that many people don’t realize.
Once you get arrested and have a criminal record in America, you are now eligible to be legally discriminated against…
For the REST. OF. YOUR. LIFE. Just like Jim Crow!
It’s the lottery you never wanted to win.
Employment opportunities, housing, public benefits, passport, jury service. All gone.
I’m incredibly grateful for my guy, Gary Chambers Jr., for never being afraid to say what needs to be said.
As more states continue to legalize cannabis, conversations about righting these wrongs are just as important now as they’ve ever been!
Let’s Talk Legalization, Politics, Parenting + More
in The Higher Learning Book Club
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