The impact that BLM has had on bringing about policy changes concerning marijuana is irrefutable. These new and relaxed marijuana policies can trigger undulating cumulative effects on American society as a whole. The policies have addressed racism, pointed loopholes in the law enforcement system, and targeted police brutality at the core.
These much-needed marijuana policy changes have given many new perspectives to the entire American nation, resulting in a ‘collective awakening‘.
With these changes in policies, governments, lawmakers and the general public are now seeing the true rationale behind the BLM movement. The question that remains unanswered is if this ‘collective awakening’ is going to flex marijuana policies at the federal level as well.
Black Lives Matter movement and its struggle
There comes a point in every realm’s history where an unfortunate event changes the destiny of its people. Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a similar struggle by African-Americans that will become a landmark in history for future generations, particularly due to its impact on the revision of marijuana policies.
This movement has successfully unearthed some major discrepancies in penal laws. It pinpoints racism as the major reason behind an over-zealous application of laws and disciplinary action against particular ethnicities.
Unfortunately, this unfair treatment has ignited some breakneck hatred and insecurity in large segments of the American population that needs to be taken seriously.
Impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement on marijuana policies
The protests carried out under the manifesto of the BLM movement have been substantially successful in softening marijuana laws.
To begin with, the proscription of marijuana has derived its roots from xenophobia itself. In 1910, the huge influx of Mexican immigrants enticed the criminalization of the previously legal marijuana usage.
Since then, marijuana users have been victims of racism, bigotry, and the undeniable aggressive use of force by police.
The flexibility in marijuana laws across different states in the country is a valuable move towards reducing these racial discrepancies. With these changes, cases of police brutality on the bases of the race will hopefully see a significant decline.
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have pointed out that African-Americans have always been targets of harsher prosecutions. The convictions faced by their white country fellowmen are much lenient, despite more or less similar consumption rates.
According to researches published in theuncovery.org, a black person is almost four times more likely to be arrested for possessing marijuana than a white-skinned individual convicted of the same crime.
Almost 8 million arrests made in the country were related to marijuana possession between the years 2001 and 2010. This constituted about 88% of all arrests made during the period, with African-Americans making up the majority.
These figures clearly establish the changes that will occur in the prosecution and convictions following cannabis policy changes.
‘Collective Awakening’ through marijuana policies
Eradicating of past records related to cannabis crimes, widespread medicinal usage, and flexible recreational use are all examples of the steps taken by lawmakers towards ensuring a racially balanced society and fair law enforcement.
Marijuana-related crimes saw an estimated expenditure of $496 million during the years 2001 and 2010. The adjudication of cases relating to marijuana possession during the same period saw a disbursement of $1.4 million.
Without the recent policy changes, expenditures would have reached about $20 million in the upcoming years. Worthy projects like healthcare, education, and infrastructure will now benefit from the redirection of marijuana-related government expenditures.
However, the cracks created in the foundation of the society cannot be filled with this ‘collective awakening’ alone. There is a lot more that needs to be done across all levels to ensure equality and justice for all. It requires an across the board tolerance and acceptance of different ethnicities, religions, and sexuality.
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