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Statement from Drug Policy Alliance’s Kassandra Frederique: New York Can Set National Example for Cannabis Reform
Social Equity and Community Reinvestment Must Be Focus of Comprehensive Legalization Bill “We’re encouraged by Governor Cuomo’s renewed ambition to get legalization done this year and to see social equity and small business incubator programs included in his plan. Decriminalization alone will never be enough to right the injustices of discriminatory marijuana enforcement. We need…
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Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director to Step Down in March to Join Human Rights Watch
New York, NY – Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, announced in a letter to staff today that she will be stepping down from the leadership of the organization on March 6 to assume a new position. DPA’s board of directors is actively discussing the process for identifying its next permanent leader…
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New Proposed Justice Department Rule Aims to Deny Asylum for People with Minor Drug Convictions
Rule Would Even Penalize Those with Convictions that Have Been Expunged or Modified New York, NY – In response to Attorney General William Barr’s issuance on Wednesday of a proposed new rule to bar a grant of asylum to any applicants convicted of minor drug offenses, even when the prior conviction has been expunged or…
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FY2020 Spending Bill Blocks ‘Class-Wide’ Fentanyl Ban Reminiscent of Crack-Cocaine Era, But Takes Step Back on Marijuana Provisions
New York, NY – In response to the final FY2020 spending bill that Congress is voting on this week, Maritza Perez, Director of the Drug Policy Alliance’s Office of National Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the packages’ drug policy implications: “We’re encouraged that Congress has heeded our call to block the extension of the…
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Rethinking the “Drug Dealer”: Harsh Penalties for Drug Supply are Counterproductive, Says New Report
New York, NY – Today, the Drug Policy Alliance released a new report making the case for rethinking the way the United States responds to the “drug dealer.” Beyond being merely ineffective, the harsh criminalization of supply-side drug market activity may actually make drug use more dangerous, increasing overdose deaths and leading to more violence…
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New Jersey Legislature Kicks Marijuana Legalization Back to Voters in 2020; Passes Bill to Expunge Low-Level Drug Offenses
New York, NY – In response to the New Jersey legislature’s passage of a measure (SCR183/ACR840) to put marijuana legalization on the 2020 ballot, as well as a bill to expunge records for low-level drug offenses, Maria McFarland Sanchez-Moreno, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, issued the following statement: “Given the legislature’s inability to pass…
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Drug Policy Alliance Names Rising Criminal Justice Reform Leader Maritza Perez National Affairs Director
New York, NY – The Drug Policy Alliance has named Maritza Perez the new Director of its Office of National Affairs. In this role, Perez will lead the organization’s federal legislative agenda and strategy, as well as its work in the District of Columbia. Most recently, Perez served as the senior policy analyst for Criminal…
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House Judiciary Committee Agrees We Need MORE with Historic Vote Clearing Path to End Marijuana Prohibition
MORE Act Becomes First Comprehensive Marijuana Bill to Ever Pass ANY Congressional Committee Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted to approve the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act). This historic step makes the MORE Act the first piece of comprehensive marijuana legislation to ever make it out of a congressional…
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Executive Director Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno Delivers Remarks at Tuesday's MORE Act Press Conference, Ahead of Historic Mark-Up
The following remarks were delivered by Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno’s at Tuesday’s House Judiciary Committee press conference ahead of Wednesday’s historic MORE Act mark-up and vote on whether to send the legislation to the House floor. She was joined by Chairman Jerry Nadler, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Nydia…
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Sweeping Marijuana Reform Bill Scheduled for Mark-Up Wednesday, Nov. 20
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) announced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) would be scheduled for mark up this Wednesday, November 20. This action makes the MORE Act the first piece of comprehensive marijuana legislation to ever make it this far in Congress. The Drug Policy…