Beto O’Rourke said Thursday that he wants the federal government to provide “Drug War Justice Grants” to people formerly incarcerated for nonviolent marijuana offenses.
If elected, O’Rourke pledged to use clemency power to release people now serving sentences for marijuana possession, and he called for expunging the records of those convicted of possession. More than a dozen candidates in the Democratic Party’s sprawling primary field support legalizing marijuanaBut the issue has long been a cause of O’Rourke’s. As an El Paso councilman, he pressed in 2009 for a resolution encouraging the federal government to undertake an “open, honest, national dialogue on ending the prohibition of narcotics,” arguing that legalizing marijuana could stop drug trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border.
O’Rourke’s campaign said a federal tax on the industry would also fund treatment programs, re-entry services and programs in communities disproportionately affected by marijuana arrests. He also proposed tying federal criminal justice funding to a requirement that states and local governments waive licensing fees for marijuana-related businesses for low-income people who have been convicted of marijuana offenses.
Yes!!!!
On drugs and guns and other issues, Beto is setting the aspirational goals which Dems and all Americans will eventually merge towards.
MomsForBeto Already been happening in Colorado.
It a great idea but he’s still a total clown
He's not going to be president so it's not going to happen
BetoORourke will say anything to get to 5% likeability
He won't be elected.
he is polling at 1-2%, he has no chance and no one will pick this disease as VP. Robert Francis has been charged with burglary and dui along with other SEC accusations
Miriam2626 Most federal prosecutions were for possession of over 220 pounds.
People who are incarcerated are charged with much more than possession. These people try to bamboozle everyone.
addiction.. will not be fixed with prison.. reality..
It’s amazing what people will say when they know they have no chance of ever being elected POTUS.
If elected to what? Dog catchers can’t change those laws. 😂😂
the president's pardon authority is limited to federal jurisdiction... there are more state level marijuana convictions than federal, which is beyond executive pardon power... we need more journalism and less click chasing
1) Taxpayers put out 5 bil+ annually for prisoners. 35-75k+ per year. 2) Many prisons are corporate, not governmental. 3) Corporations pay less taxes. 4) No national sentencing guidelines = abuse & corruption. Your taxes pay same for misdemeanors as murderers. You ok with that?
Pandering phony
so does Yang2020
He’s at zero percent.
Interesting.
Well, that makes sense. Like releasing all those bootleggers after prohibition was lifted...
Is there still time for Beto to drop out and get in the Texas Senate race?