I have known many marijuana users throughout my life. They were never a threat to public safety, nor were they violent or unlawful, with the exception of their possession of marijuana. This personal experience underlines the injustice faced by those incarcerated on marijuana-related charges in Alabama.

Despite numerous studies showing that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, both of which are legal substances, thousands remain imprisoned for its use or possession. According to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), there were 8.2 million arrests between 2001 and 2010 in the United States related to marijuana - an overwhelming majority being for mere possession.

In Alabama specifically, according to Southern Poverty Law Center's report in 2020, over half of all drug arrests were for marijuana possession. These convictions not only disrupt lives but also disproportionately affect minority communities.

This petition seeks justice for these individuals who have been unfairly penalized due to outdated laws that do not reflect our current understanding of this substance's effects. We call on Alabama lawmakers to release all those incarcerated on non-violent marijuana-related charges and expunge their records accordingly.

We believe this is a crucial step towards fairer drug policies that prioritize public health over punitive measures. Please sign this petition if you stand with us in advocating for change and justice.