For 420, Ben & Jerry's calls for cannabis law reform

As in previous years, Ben & Jerry’s took advantage of the 420 to highlight the harmful effects of the federal ban on cannabis, particularly on communities of color. In partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the brand also announced its support for congressional legislation aimed at legalizing cannabis and promoting social justice.

«Legalization must be rooted in fairness. That is why we are calling on Congress to support the MORE Act, «which would legalize cannabis and (this is an important »and»!) expunge prior cannabis convictions,« Ben & Jerry’s wrote in a blog post. »Want to feel really, really good this 4/20? Then let’s make sure legalization benefits everyone. That will turn 4/20 into a day we can all celebrate.”

Ben & Jerry’s pointed out that while the cannabis legalization While this has allowed some people to benefit from a booming industry, certain citizens continue to be criminalized for cannabis use, even in states where it is legal, and racial disparities persist.

Cannabis is legal in 33 states, but hundreds of thousands of people are still arrested for possession every year—a disproportionate number of whom are Black. This #420, get the facts and then join us and @ACLU to take action to pass the MORE Act. Learn more: https://t.co/D3rsTpHaYz pic.twitter.com/PCYC1Z7g1V

— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 20, 2020

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«We need to do more than just market a culture of eccentric hippie stoners,» he said declared Christopher Miller, Head of Global Activism Strategy at Ben & Jerry’s, said, »I think that, especially now that there is much more money to be made as the industry becomes legalized and established, it is up to all of us, both individuals and the companies operating within it, to be aware and to ensure that the damage caused over the years [of cannabis prohibition] is repaired in this new phase of the cannabis industry.»

The company, which has already mentioned the possibility of weed ice cream, had made a similar argument regarding 4/20 last year, noting that it was part of a multi-year initiative aimed at supporting criminal justice reform related to cannabis.

This 4/20, we're getting real about cannabis justice. Learn more about who's making $$$, who's being penalized, and why it matters: https://t.co/DPCcqND0SI pic.twitter.com/GxFFzMnuB1

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— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 19, 2019