Activists in Washington, D.C. on Thursday launched a new campaign to urge local lawmakers to broadly decriminalize drugs, with a focus on expanding treatment resources and harm reduction services.<\/p>\n
DecrimPovertyDC\u2014a coalition of advocacy groups like the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy\u2014will be imploring the District Council to take up the cause, and members have already met with the offices of each legislator and have gotten a generally positive reception.<\/p>\n
\nToday, @DrugPolicyOrg<\/a>, @HIPS<\/a>, @Defund_MPD<\/a> & over 40 civil rights, justice reform, public health, & faith groups join forces to launch the #DecrimPovertyDC<\/a> campaign. We are urging for @councilofdc<\/a> to treat drug use like a public health issue. Learn more: https:\/\/t.co\/KFXc7su9Pu<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TwWACpAsUU<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 #DecrimPovertyDC (@decrimpovertydc) October 21, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cThrough ongoing advocacy, we aim to replace carceral systems with harm reduction-oriented systems of care that promote the dignity, autonomy, and health of people who use drugs, sex workers, and other criminalized populations,\u201d the campaign site says.<\/span><\/p>\n
People of color are disproportionately impacted by drug criminalization, and the group said the impact \u201cextends far beyond the criminal legal system, as people face an array of punishments in employment, housing, education, immigration, child welfare, and public benefits\u2014all of which can trap people in poverty.\u201d<\/p>\n
An outline of the legislative proposal starts with drug decriminalization. People who possess small amounts of controlled substances would face no criminal or civil penalties. An independent commission would decide what the possession limit should be, and those who possess more than that amount would face a $50 fine, which could be waived if the person completes a health assessment.<\/p>\n
\nFurther, the mayor would be required to establish a harm reduction center where people could receive treatment resources and access sterile needles. The legislation allows for the creation of a safe consumption site within the center where people could use illicit drugs in a medically supervised environment.<\/p>\n
That could prove challenging, however, as the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected a request to hear a case<\/a> on the legality of establishing safe injection sites where people can use illicit drugs in a medically supervised environment. An attempt to create such a facility in Philadelphia was blocked under the Trump administration and is now pending further action in a lower federal court.<\/p>\n
The D.C. initiative<\/a>, which is also being supported by AIDS United, Defund MPD, Honoring Individual Power and Strength (HIPS) and dozens of other groups, would also make it so the health department would need to provide a drug testing service so people could screen products for contaminants or other hazardous compounds.<\/p>\n
\nIn 2020, 511 people fatally overdosed in the District; over 94,000 people died from accidental overdose nationally. We are in a state of emergency directly caused by criminalization and other inhumane drug policies. #DecrimPovertyDC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9stWKb1nYG<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 #DecrimPovertyDC (@decrimpovertydc) October 21, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Another provision activists are pushing for would work to repair the harms of criminalization, in part by requiring the courts to \u201cidentify and vacate convictions for offenses decriminalized by this bill.\u201d They would also need to find and vacate cases related to drug paraphernalia, which was decriminalized last year under separate legislation.<\/p>\n
Queen Adesuyi, policy manager of national affairs at DPA, told Marijuana Moment that the campaign\u2019s branding and scope is \u201cintentionally broad to address poverty more generally, because in D.C. the drug war does disproportionately impact under-resourced communities in addition to black communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to build out our campaign to paint the full picture of the drug war\u2019s harms locally in the District,\u201d she said, adding that the coalition will be poised to \u201csupport other efforts that are also working to minimize state-based harm against vulnerable communities in D.C.\u201d<\/p>\n
At this point, the drug decriminalization measure has not been introduced in the D.C. Council, but activists are encouraged by early conversations with local lawmakers. The intent is to build on drug policy progress such as paraphernalia decriminalization<\/a>, which was championed by key players like the chairman of the Council\u2019s Judiciary Committee.<\/p>\n
The push in the nation\u2019s capital follows advocates\u2019 success in advancing decriminalization in other parts of the country.<\/p>\n
Oregon voters approved a historic initiative to decriminalize drug possession last year<\/a>, and multiple jurisdictions across the U.S. are now exploring similar policy changes.<\/p>\n
Last month, Massachusetts lawmakers heard testimony on separate proposals<\/a> to decriminalize drug possession and establish a pilot program for safe injection facilities. A safe consumption site bill advanced through a legislative committee<\/a> in the state in May.<\/p>\n
The Maine Senate this summer defeated a bill that would have decriminalized possession<\/a> of all currently illicit drugs.<\/p>\n
Rhode Island\u2019s governor signed a bill in July to create a pilot program legalizing safe consumption sites<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Congressionally, a first-of-its-kind bill to decriminalize drug possession<\/a> at the federal level was introduced this session.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a sense of urgency to get this reform in D.C. enacted, as the coronavirus pandemic has seemed to contribute to record-high drug overdose deaths in the country. Adesuyi said \u201cthe last year really has made it so we just can\u2019t wait any more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, advocates have renewed hope that D.C. could soon move to legalize the sale of adult-use marijuana.<\/p>\n
The District has been prevented from doing so despite legalizing cannabis in 2014 because it\u2019s been bound by a congressional spending bill rider prohibiting the use of local tax dollars for that purpose. But with majorities in both chambers this session, Democratic appropriators have excluded that prohibitive language<\/a> in the most recent spending measures\u2014so D.C. would be empowered to finally enact a regulated market.<\/p>\n
The mayor of D.C. said in April that local officials are prepared to move forward<\/a> with implementing a legal system of recreational marijuana sales<\/a>\u00a0in the nation\u2019s capital just as soon as they can get over the final \u201churdle\u201d of congressional interference.<\/p>\n
Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) introduced a cannabis commerce bill in February\u2014and members of the District Council\u00a0are considering that, as well as a separate proposal<\/a> put forward by Chairman Phil Mendelson (D).<\/p>\n
A hearing on the latter bill is scheduled<\/a> for next month the Committee of the Whole, the Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety & the Committee on Business & Economic Development.<\/p>\n
\nFourth Massachusetts City Approves Psychedelics Reform As Movement Grows<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
The post Activists Push D.C. Lawmakers To Decriminalize Drugs And Promote Harm Reduction With New Campaign<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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