At this point, any state that hasn't legalized marijuana is presumably just remaining stubborn on the issue out of sheer spite, often doubling down on antiquated policies that are far from fair to the public.
Meanwhile, California has attempted to lean further into its status as a leading state on matters of marijuana law reform. In the latest Complex News Presents episode, we take a look at how unfair prosecution practices—even in the age of widespread legalization—have continued to burden those most vulnerable.
The episode also explores how leaders and citizens alike in the state are attempting to right the wrongs of the past and lead by example in anticipation of a fairer future for the cannabis industry at large, including attempting to get people's weed felonies expunged.
California notably bagged an estimated $345 million in cannabis-related tax revenue in 2018, making their moves in this department of particular interest for other states hoping to follow a similar path.
At the national level, it was announced Tuesday that Sen. Kamala Harris and House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler had collaborated on legislation that would both decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and expunge marijuana-related convictions, with tax revenue set aside in the assistance of starting trust funds unfairly targeted during the War on Drugs.
Catch the full episode, featuring mentions of the ongoing efforts of the Cage-Free Cannabis team in repairing the damages of the War on Drugs era, up top.
