By Brittney Johnson, AFRO Intern
On July 7, Marilyn Mosby addressed the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security at the “Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need” hearing at the Rayburn House Office in Washington D.C.
At the hearing, Mosby suggested that marijuana be removed under statutes as a scheduled controlled substance in order to create economic growth and incentives for investments within Baltimore communities.
Baltimore State’s Attorney, Marilyn Mosby addressed the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security at the “Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need” hearing. (Screengrab/judiciary.house.gov)
The Baltimore State’s Attorney’s continued activism toward those who have faced injustices during their time with law officials has been the catalyst of her career.
Upon taking office shortly after the death of Freddie Grey, a tragic event in Baltimore’s not-so-distant history, Mosby promised Baltimore citizens she would have the police officers responsible for his death prosecuted. And she did.
Mosby has also honored the commitment to advocate for lesser sentencing regarding marijuana charges, when she announced that would stop prosecuting for marijuana possession in January. She has been fighting to have criminals who have been convicted and sentenced with drug charges involving marijuana overturned.
Now she’s taken her case to the District to impact marijuan reform on a national level.
“National data has consistently shown that Black people are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession in the United States than White people, despite individuals of both races using marijuana at the same rate.” She continued, “In the city of Baltimore, prior to the decriminalization of 10 grams or less of marijuana, Black people were six times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana,” said Mosby in a written statement.
Wednesday’s Congressional Hearing on: Marijuana Laws in America