Communities of color deserve MORE from Congress in this historic moment for marijuana reform

Statement of JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins

Contact: Loretta Kane (917-410-7262 or loretta@caminopr.com)

NEW YORK — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the first piece of comprehensive marijuana legislation — the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act). JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins issued the following statement in response:

“The MORE Act is a holistic approach to marijuana legalization that begins to address the racist drug laws and policies that have resulted in the disproportionate incarceration of people of color, especially Black people, and the white washing of the burgeoning cannabis industry.

“Currently, about 99% of cannabis growing permits are owned by white entrepreneurs. The MORE Act will help level the playing field so that people of color not only have access to equal justice but also have the same rights to make a living and compete against the overwhelmingly white interests that dominate the cannabis market.

“Today, the House took an important step toward equal justice and equal opportunity. We encourage the Senate to follow their lead by passing the MORE Act immediately.”