Former narcotics officer and child psychologist voice support for regulating marijuana like alcohol

A former narcotics officer and a child psychologist joined marijuana policy reform activists at a panel discussion in Denver last night, where they spoke out in support of regulating marijuana like alcohol in Colorado. The panelists addressed a variety of topics, including the disproportionate impact of marijuana laws on communities of color, the costs of marijuana prohibition, and the benefits of ending it.

The highlight of the event was a keynote lecture from Neil Franklin, a former Baltimore narcotics officer who now serves as executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a member of the coalition in support of Amendment 64. Franklin discussed how his extensive experience in law enforcement fostered his strong belief that marijuana prohibition causes far more harm than good. He described in detail how forcing marijuana into the underground market contributes to crime and supports gangs and drug cartels. Also among the speakers was Dr. Erika Joye, PhD, a child and school psychologist, who delivered a heartfelt personal story about the detrimental impact of marijuana prohibition on families and children.

The event, "Let's Talk About Marijuana," was hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance and co-sponsored by the ACLU of Colorado, NAACP of Colorado, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, and the Colorado Progressive Coalition.