Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke has released his plan for the legalization of marijuana.
What We Know:
- Former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke has released his official plan for the legalization of marijuana. The candidate has been open about his support of decriminalizing marijuana throughout his campaign and even co-wrote a book on the matter in 2011.
- His plan aims to regulate marijuana similar to alcohol, with IDs being required to buy it, limiting its use in public spaces, and discouraging the use of driving under the influence.
- His plan will also prohibit the federal government from using marijuana-related offenses as grounds to deport undocumented immigrants. It will prioritize minority-owned businesses and people who have been convicted of marijuana offenses in acquiring licenses to sell, produce, and distribute marijuana.
- In addition, his plan will include the “Drug War Grant” which will take the money from taxes implemented on the drug and put it towards funding substance abuse treatment programs, those formerly incarcerated for marijuana offenses, and supporting reentry to society for those imprisoned for marijuana possession.
- O’Rourke states that “these inequalities have compounded for decades, as predominantly white communities have been given the vast majority of lucrative business opportunities, while communities of color still face over-policing and criminalization. It’s our responsibility to begin to remedy the injustices of the past and help the people and communities most impacted by this misguided war.”
With the candidate attending roundtables focused on the issue in Los Angeles and Oakland last week, he continues to educate on his new plan and campaign for votes from other supports.
