Drug Law Reform

The 桃子视频works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

Criminal Law Reform issue image

What's at Stake

Drug laws should reflect the collective will of the populace. Jail time for simple marijuana possession is common in certain jurisdictions, even though 9 out of 10 adults believe people who possess or use small amounts of marijuana should not face any jail time.

Even for individuals who are never incarcerated, collateral consequences that flow from their arrests and convictions鈥攕uch as lost jobs, ineligibility for public housing, suspended driver鈥檚 licenses, and restrictions on access to federal student loans鈥攃an significantly derail their lives. A 鈥渃riminal history鈥 built on minor marijuana convictions can categorize defendants as 鈥渃areer criminals鈥 for sentencing purposes in subsequent cases, thereby triggering harsh mandatory sentences.

CLRP has fought to implement and protect medical marijuana and decriminalization laws in jurisdictions around the country, helping thousands of people obtain the medicine they need and keeping people who pose no danger to public safety out of the criminal justice system. We also support states鈥 efforts to tax and regulate marijuana, as in Colorado and Washington. The criminal justice system lags far behind public opinion on marijuana reform, and CLRP is helping it catch up.

Drug laws should reflect the collective will of the populace. Jail time for simple marijuana possession is common in certain jurisdictions, even though 9 out of 10 adults believe people who possess or use small amounts of marijuana should not face any jail time.

Even for individuals who are never incarcerated, collateral consequences that flow from their arrests and convictions鈥攕uch as lost jobs, ineligibility for public housing, suspended driver鈥檚 licenses, and restrictions on access to federal student loans鈥攃an significantly derail their lives. A 鈥渃riminal history鈥 built on minor marijuana convictions can categorize defendants as 鈥渃areer criminals鈥 for sentencing purposes in subsequent cases, thereby triggering harsh mandatory sentences.

CLRP has fought to implement and protect medical marijuana and decriminalization laws in jurisdictions around the country, helping thousands of people obtain the medicine they need and keeping people who pose no danger to public safety out of the criminal justice system. We also support states鈥 efforts to tax and regulate marijuana, as in Colorado and Washington. The criminal justice system lags far behind public opinion on marijuana reform, and CLRP is helping it catch up.

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