Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, held remarkably progressive views on cannabis legislation. The year was 1977—a time when, supposedly, there was no political strife, no inflation, no world conflict. Surely you remember those times, right? I digress.
In his first year as president, Carter urged Congress to decriminalize low-level cannabis possession. He stated:
"Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself."
He continued:
"I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. This decriminalization is not legalization. It means only that the Federal penalty for possession would be reduced, and a person would receive a fine rather than a criminal penalty. Federal penalties for trafficking would remain in force, and the states would remain free to adopt whatever laws they wish concerning the marijuana smoker."
Nearly 50 years after Carter’s call to “eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana,” those harsh laws—a minimum fine of $1,000 and up to a year in jail—are still on the books. Seriously?
This is arguably the most unifying issue in the American political landscape today. People overwhelmingly support legal access to cannabis. And as Americans, so should we all. This is not complicated. Giving adults the freedom to choose how to consume a plant should be a no-brainer.
This "freedom" leads to businesses like ours investing in retail real estate when others are pulling out. We hire people and pay above-average wages at a time when other industries are cutting back. We’re contributing millions to the tax digest. This issue is a win-win for everyone.
And, if I may say, we’re making people happier at a time when we could all use a little more chill. So, let’s not mourn Carter’s passing. Instead, let’s celebrate his life and the fact that he held progressive views on cannabis. Let’s continue this bipartisan push for common-sense legislation. It’s only freedom, after all.
SIDEBAR:
Last Prisoner Project
At all Apotheca Dispensary locations, customers are asked to round up their purchases. I know—you get that everywhere. But here, it actually means something.
In 2024, we raised over $275,000 from our customers, which went to support a multitude of charities. One of these is the Last Prisoner Project (LPP). LPP is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to reforming our criminal justice system through progressive drug policy.
Through legal intervention, constituent support, advocacy campaigns, and policy change, LPP aims to release every last drug war prisoner and repair the harms of this discriminatory and counterproductive crusade.
Follow them at @lastprisonerproject or visit their website to learn more: www.lastprisonerproject.org. Text FREEDOM to 24365 to donate.
For more information on our corporate giving, visit Apotheca giving and know that at Apotheca, your round-ups truly make a difference.
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