WHAT: Press conference and vigil in Trenton – No More Drug War
WHERE: State House steps, Trenton, New Jersey
WHEN: FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2011 —- 12:00PM to 1:00PM
CONTACT: Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731 [email protected]
President Nixon signed an Executive Order on June 17, 1971 declaring a “war on drugs.” Forty years later this failed policy has destroyed our communities and sent millions to prison. Marijuana activism groups in New Jersey are holding a press conference and vigil in Trenton. The event seeks to remember the victims of this tragic war and bring attention to new solutions for drug policy, especially for cannabis.
There are almost 60,000 drug related arrests in New Jersey each year. More than 28,000 of those arrests are for marijuana. Medical marijuana patients are caught in the crossfire all too often, with examples like NJ patients David Barnes and John Wilson.
Chris Goldstein will speak at the event, he serves on the Boards of Directors at several non-profit groups working to change marijuana laws.
“Governor Christie said last night that he is personally holding back legal access to marijuana for seriously ill residents. Coldly ignoring the clear intent of the legislature, our governor won’t even call off the drug war against AIDS and cancer patients. At this point the best way to protect medical cannabis patients is to fully decriminalize marijuana possession for all adults. ”
Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut are among fourteen states that treat marijuana possession as a civil rather than criminal offense. A civil fine is similar to a traffic ticket and does not require an arrest or jail. Assemblyman Reed Gusciora stated yesterday that he plans to introduce marijuana decrim legislation next week.
Goldstein is supportive of that possibility, “Arrests in New Jersey for marijuana violations increase every year, costing the state and municipal authorities millions of dollars. There is no better time to save our money and craft a better policy. It’s pretty simple: Do we want schools and fire departments or do we want to bust people for pot?”
“Ending the drug war is the most important social justice and economic policy change we need to make today. That change will need to start with cannabis. After 40 years of failure it is time to try something new.”
CONTACT: Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731 [email protected]