West Coast Police Groups Join the Fight for Federal Cannabis Legalization
Attention all hipsters and weed enthusiasts! The tides are turning as two major West Coast police organizations have jumped on board the federal cannabis legalization train. This groundbreaking move marks the first time a statewide police officers group has called for an end to the nation’s prohibition of marijuana.
In a bold and historic shift, the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (ORCOPs) have announced their support for federal legislation that would pave the way for nationwide legalization of the beloved herb.
“The ship has sailed,” declared PORAC in a policy position paper cited by SFGATE. “For the vast majority of Americans, cannabis is legal and accessible.”
Representing thousands of law enforcement officers across California and Oregon, these two groups have joined forces with the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) to express their backing for the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. This legislation would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act to exclude cannabis activities that comply with state or tribal regulations.
According to CPEAR executive director Andrew Freedman, “The STATES Act does what every federal bill should do – help all 50 states succeed in the policies they choose.” He added, “Whether you are pro-legalization or anti-legalization, we can all acknowledge that the current federal posture of having its head in the sand is not working.”
Freedman went on to explain that the STATES Act would create “commonsense guardrails” to protect youth, roads, and communities from the potential negative effects of cannabis. It would also allow federal efforts to focus on keeping cannabis out of states where it remains illegal, rather than trying to fight against the tide of legalization.
It’s a major shift for PORAC, which previously opposed Proposition 64, the 2016 ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana in California with over 57% of the vote. But as cannabis has become more normalized in the state, the organization’s perception has changed, leading them to change their stance on legal weed.
“A fair amount of officers patrolling the streets nowadays know nothing other than legalized marijuana in the state of California,” explained PORAC president Brian Marvel to SFGATE. “They are much more receptive to conversations on marijuana and the impact it has on our communities.”
So, whether you’re a fan of the green stuff or not, it’s clear that the times are changing and the fight for federal cannabis legalization is gaining some serious momentum. Keep your eyes on the horizon, because the future of weed in America is looking brighter than ever.
