Why Rep. AOC Supports Cannabis Legalization & Expungement: 'Criminalization Is An Instrument Of Racist, Colonial Policy'

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) has been a vocal advocate for the legalization of cannabis, a topic that has been at the forefront of the national discourse in recent years and on the back burner for decades. In a series of tweets, AOC has made it clear that she sees the criminalization of marijuana as a major injustice, rooted in racist and colonial policies and a failure of the War on Drugs.

An Instrument Of Racist And Colonial Policy

"The criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in 2021. This sentiment is echoed by many who see the War on Drugs as a tool used to target and oppress communities of color.

The criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy.

The IOC should reconsider its suspension of Ms. Richardson and any athletes penalized for cannabis use. This ruling along w/ IOC denial of swim caps for natural hair is deeply troubling. https://t.co/Ao1Yu8Ax9G

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 2, 2021

Ocasio-Cortez has also made the case that the legalization of cannabis is not just a personal freedom issue, but a matter of public health. "Marijuana should be legalized, and drug consumption should be decriminalized. These are matters of public health," she had argued in 2019.

Marijuana should be legalized, and drug consumption should be decriminalized.

These are matters of public health.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 18, 2019

Legalization Without Expungement Is Not Complete

In AOC's view, the legalization of marijuana must go hand in hand with efforts to expunge the records of those who have been unfairly convicted under unjust drug laws. "For people to truly be freed from having their lives haunted by unjust marijuana convictions, we must work to expunge records beyond pardoning," she said.

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Ocasio-Cortez also argues that the legalization of cannabis should be viewed as a justice issue, one that has the potential to positively impact communities that have been decimated by mass incarceration. "You can’t separate marijuana legalization from the injustices of the War on Drugs. If you do, those who profit from private prisons can get another payday w/ marijuana. $ is a justice issue. Communities decimated by mass incarceration need to see investments w/ legalization," she tweeted.

President Biden sent an important signal when he pardoned citizens with federal charges for simple marijuana possession. But there’s still a lot more to do pic.twitter.com/uRF7rHHwE4

— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) November 16, 2022

Big Pharma

In addition, Ocasio-Cortez has expressed concern about the potential for big pharmaceutical companies to monopolize the marijuana industry, locking out communities that have been devastated by the War on Drugs. "If Big Pharma gets their way with federal marijuana legalization, communities decimated by the War on Drugs will be locked out from the chance to recover from mass incarceration, and the corps who benefited (private equity groups w/ for-profit prison holdings) will capitalize," she tweeted.

Today is #OverdoseAwarenessDay.

Opioid & drug abuse isn’t an issue that impacts any one kind of family. It impacts us all.

It’s one reason why we pursue:
- Medicare for All
- Legalizing Marijuana
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Reducing influence of Big Pharma lobbyists in policy https://t.co/oJtvskMTbT

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 31, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez's support for the legalization of cannabis is rooted in her belief in justice and her commitment to addressing the harm caused by the War on Drugs. Her call for the legalization of marijuana and the expungement of records serves as a powerful reminder of the need for systemic change in the criminal justice system.

Photo by nrkbeta, via WikiMedia Commons, edited by Javier Hasse.

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