Detroit NAACP, Community and Religious Leaders Slam Marijuana Legalization Initiative

FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

Detroit NAACP, Community and Religious Leaders Slam Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Oct. 26, 2018 (EIRNS)—NAACP and other black community leaders have spoken out against Proposal 1, the Michigan ballot initiative which would legalize marijuana possession, consumption, and growing up to 12 marijuana plants at home. If passed on Nov. 6, Michigan would become the first Midwest state to move further down the drug slope after “medical” marijuana.

“Proposal 1 supports the very issues that are harming our neighborhoods and killing our families. Legalizing marijuana does not help our education system. It would not provide more jobs, it would take them away. It does not lead to better health care. It puts our health in danger,”

Kamilia Landrum, deputy executive director of the Detroit Branch NAACP, told a press conference on Oct. 23.

Rev. Horace Sheffield, representing the Detroit Association of Black Organizations, joined in opposition. Reporting that he was once an addict, and he fears the effect of the measure on young people. “This further imperils our youth who already are economically disadvantaged. It also stymies their educational pursuits. This is not a drug that should be legal.”

The conference was organized by “Healthy and Productive Michigan,” a committee set up to defeat the legalization initiative; the committee has backing from diverse groups ranging from the Detroit NAACP, to Michigan’s Chamber of Commerce, Sheriffs Association, Association of Chiefs of Police, Association of Treatment Court Professionals, and others. Healthy and Productive Michigan reports that 73 county sheriffs, 56 county prosecutors, the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors and the Michigan State Medical Society also oppose the measure.

Senate Republican candidate John James also opposed its passage in his Oct. 15 debate with his Democratic opponent, incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow—who voiced her support for this measure, which is intended to expand the deadly drug epidemic.

Polls still claim 60% of voters support the proposal.