Democrats launch ‘Free Weed’ site for marijuana legalization
The Alabama Democratic Party has launched a “Free Weed” website to support its efforts to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state.
The site, www.FreeWeedAL.com, argues that prosecutions for small amounts of cannabis are a waste of criminal justice resources and have disproportionately affected communities of color. The party argued that legalizing marijuana could also bring economic benefits to the state.
“Republican politicians in Alabama seem determined to waste money criminalizing ordinary people, ruining lives in the process,” said state Rep. Chris England, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. , in a press release.
He added that “the criminalization of cannabis does not make us safer”.
The site is a mix of political advocacy and promotion for the state’s Democratic Party and its candidates this year. It includes statistics on marijuana-related lawsuits as well as links to donate to the state party, register to vote and volunteer to help candidates. It also has “Free Weed” t-shirts and other merchandise for sale.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl called the site a “stunt.”
“The Republican Party of Alabama supports traditional family values. It is important to us that our society and our families remain safe, strong and healthy. Recreational use of marijuana does not encourage these principles,” Wahl said in a statement.
Eighteen states have legalized the recreational use of small amounts of marijuana for adults, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, though none of them are in the Deep South. Twenty-seven states have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, meaning violations are generally a civil or local offense instead of a felony.
The Alabama Democratic Party announced the site on April 20, also known as 4/20, a date that has become associated with the celebration of marijuana.
The Republican-dominated Alabama legislature has approved a medical marijuana program but rejected efforts to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.