Press Release: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES QUESTION 2, THE INITIATIVE TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL IN NEVADA

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2016

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich

Media@leap.cc

240.461.3066

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES QUESTION 2, THE INITIATIVE TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL IN NEVADA

Criminal Justice Experts Say Question 2 Will Promote Public Safety

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals, today announced its endorsement of Nevada’s ballot Question 2 to regulate marijuana as a means of refocusing the justice system on more pressing crimes and improving the relationship between communities and police.

The proposed initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to one eighth of an ounce of marijuana extract. Question 2 would also establish the framework for a responsibly regulated system of licensed marijuana retail stores and cultivation, manufacturing, and testing facilities. The initiative would place a 15% excise tax on wholesale marijuana sales.

“Responsibly regulating marijuana will help to drive out the risky and untaxed illegal marijuana market – thus reducing the power of gangs and improving public safety for Nevada’s residents and law enforcement officers,” said Maj. Neill Franklin (Ret.), LEAP’s executive director. “Police will then be able to refocus valuable resources to help bring justice to victims of serious crimes.”

If passed, Question 2 will ensure protection for patients enrolled in Nevada’s medical marijuana program. Consuming marijuana in public and driving while impaired on marijuana will remain illegal. Taxes and fees will first be used to pay for state and local implementation and enforcement, and all additional money will support K-12 education. According to a Suffolk University poll, 57% of Nevadans support the measure.

California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Arizona are also voting to legalize marijuana for adult use through the ballot initiative process this November. Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access.

LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.

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PRESS RELEASE: LEAP endorses MA marijuana legalization, Question 4

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich

Media@leap.cc

240.461.3066

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES MA MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, QUESTION 4

Criminal Justice Experts Support Campaign to Legalize Marijuana to Promote Public Safety

The Massachusetts Secretary of State has announced that an opportunity to legalize marijuana, Question 4, will be on the November ballot. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals advocating for marijuana legalization, endorses the measure as a means of refocusing the justice system on more serious matters and improving the relationship between communities and police. Question 4 will allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants in a secure area of the home.

“Just because fewer people are arrested for marijuana in Massachusetts now doesn’t mean the illegal market disappeared,” saidOfficer Patrick Heintz (Ret.), a retired corrections officer, substance-abuse counselor, and LEAP speaker. “Underground marijuana dealers are still out there – profiting from a product we relegated to their control. Regulation ensures profits are directed to licensed business owners who pay taxes instead of potentially dangerous criminals. I’m voting Yes on Question 4.”

Question 4 is endorsed by Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing, ACLU of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Moms for Regulation and Taxation, and Union of Minority Neighborhoods, and assorted state legislators, doctors, nurses, academics, and faith leaders.

Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access. Measures to legalize marijuana for adult use are also on the November ballot in Maine, Arizona, California, and Nevada.

LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.

Campaign Contact: Jim Borghesani

jim@regulatemass.com - 617.833.9327 

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PRESS RELEASE: LEAP endorses AZ marijuana legalization, Prop. 205

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich

Media@leap.cc

240.461.3066

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES AZ MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, PROP. 205

Criminal Justice Experts Support Campaign to Legalize Marijuana to Promote Public Safety

The Arizona Secretary of State has announced that an opportunity to legalize marijuana, Proposition 205, will be on the November ballot. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals advocating for marijuana legalization, endorses the measure as a means of refocusing the justice system on more serious matters and improving the relationship between communities and police. Prop. 205 will allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, grow up to six plants in a secure area of the home, and allocate an estimated $55 million from marijuana sales taxes and licensing fees for K-12 education and full-day kindergarten programs.

“Marijuana arrests are damaging the lives of good people all over Arizona,” said Lt. Tony Ryan (Ret.), a LEAP speaker, 36-year veteran of the Denver Police Department, and Arizona resident. “Marijuana prohibition makes people distrust police for enforcing laws that take away education, job, and housing opportunities, as well as the rights of good parents. Prohibition is harmful and counterproductive. I'm voting Yes on Prop. 205.”

The Campaign To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected 258,582 signatures, over 100,000 more than the state required. The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office certified the measure on August 11th.

Prop. 205 is also endorsed by over a dozen conservative, liberal, and libertarian officials and organizations, including the Arizona Libertarian Party, the Arizona Democratic Party, The La Paz County Republican Committee.

Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access. Ballot measures to legalize marijuana for adult use are on the November ballot in Maine, Massachusetts, California, and Nevada.

LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.

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