THE SOCIAL INJUSTICE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Remarks from Bishop James, Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Dr. Kevin Sabet

NEWARK – On Martin Luther King Day, Bishop Jethro James joined former Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Dr. Kevin Sabet in offering the following remarks on social justice and marijuana legalization in New Jersey.  James delivered his remarks at Paradise Baptist Church in Newark.

“On Martin Luther King Day, I am calling on all religious leaders to speak out against this terrible policy that would only further hurt minority communities by bringing more drugs into our neighborhoods and our homes.  Dr. King would have found it unconscionable to allow the Big Marijuana industry to profit off of our cities and vulnerable communities.  Make no mistake, legalizing recreational marijuana is not social justice – it’s social injustice.  What we need is criminal justice reform, as well as advanced education in training of law enforcement to address the disproportionate arrests of minorities.”  — Bishop Jethro C. James, Jr., Senior Pastor of Paradise Baptist Church in Newark,President of the Newark/North Jersey Committee of Black Churchmen, Member of Governor-elect Murphy’s Transition Team

“We are so grateful that Bishop James, a respected religious figure in the state, recognizes the moral obligation to speak out against drug policies that would hurt our children, families, and communities,” said Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a supporter of NJ-RAMP.  “Just as the Kennedy family supported the efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr, we strongly support the efforts of Bishop James and other religious leaders to protect our communities from the negative consequences of marijuana commercialization.” — Rep. Patrick Kennedy, supporter of NJ-RAMP, Honorary Advisor of Smart Approaches to Marijuana

“We’ve seen significant proof that marijuana legalization is not the step forward for social justice that’s promised.  In fact, it’s just the opposite, as the marijuana industry routinely targets vulnerable communities as its profit centers.  Just take a look at Denver, where the number of pot shops littering the city is greater than the number of McDonalds and Starbucks combined.”  — Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy advisor to President Obama, NJ-RAMP President, co-founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana

About NJ-RAMP:  NJ-RAMP is a coalition of individuals and associations who believe that the health, safety and economic consequences of recreational marijuana legalization far outweigh the perceived social benefits. The grassroots organization consists of medical doctors, community groups, treatment providers, drug prevention professionals, business owners, law enforcement officers, parents, religious leaders, and many others. For more information, visit www.nj-ramp.org.

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