The massively popular ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has clarified its support for legalizing marijuana, while calling on governors to issue pardons and commutations for marijuana offenses.
“The failed policies of the War on Drugs – including harsh sentences, overcriminalization, and surveillance of Black and Brown communities – have perpetuated racial disparities in the criminal legal system and contributed to decades of mass incarceration”, says Ben & Jerry’s on their website. “Countless people are locked behind bars or haunted by convictions for marijuana-related offenses even in states where cannabis is legal. We believe in cannabis legalization, but only if it’s got justice baked right in.”
The companiy goes on to say “Let’s make 4/20 a day we can all can celebrate. Together we must call on Governors to use their power of clemency to pardon people for marijuana-related offenses under state laws. You can learn more about Clemency from our friends at the ACLU vist the ACLU website.”
The company has a form where people can send a letter to their state lawmakers.
To promote the form Ben & Jerry’s made a social media post on 4/20 saying:
Recreational [marijuana] is now legal in 24 states + DC. Yet thousands of people are still in prison and struggling to find jobs because of past -related offenses. That’s not justice. This 4/20, tell your governor to grant clemency for cannabis convictions NOW
