Pubdate: Tue, 14 Oct 2014
Source: Record, The (Troy, NY)
Copyright: 2014 The Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.troyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1724
Page: A10
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

DC ADDS RACIAL ISSUE TO DEBATE ON LEGALIZING POT

WASHINGTON (AP) - A debate over legalizing marijuana in the nation's 
capital is focusing on the outsized number of arrests of 
African-Americans on minor drug charges.

Pot legalization supporters in Colorado and Washington state also 
spoke about racial justice, but their voters are mostly white and 
their campaigns focused more on other issues. The race factor hits 
closer to many more homes in the District, where nearly half the 
population is black.

There are many other differences between the District and states that 
have legalized pot. The city is a patchwork of local and federal 
land, and there will be no lighting up in front of the White House or 
at the Jefferson Memorial. Also, Washington remains under the thumb 
of Congress, which could thwart the will of the voters as it has on 
other matters where liberal District tendencies clash with Capitol Hill.

A poll last month showed nearly 2 of every 3 voters favor the 
initiative, which will be on November's ballot.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom