Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s teachings and the War on Drugs

By Rebekkah Ranallo

“Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the cannabis industry, we work daily in a complex paradox. On the one hand, we see lives positively changed by the plant we are privileged to grow and dispense. On the other, we hear stories of injustice about how the failed War on Drugs prevents qualified candidates in our community from joining us as colleagues.

When asking ourselves what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would say about the War on Drugs, let’s consider what we know to be true.

We know that Dr. King valued compassion, justice, peace and non violence. 

We know that the War on Drugs punishes those suffering from diseases of addiction, who need community and compassion, not incarceration and isolation.

We know that despite similar cannabis consumption rates, Blacks are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than Whites.

We know that the War on Drugs has inflicted its own form of violence on communities of color, separating families and prolonging generational cycles of poverty.

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” 

This Martin Luther King Day, we are reminded of Dr. King’s call to effect change by working at the intersection of love, power, and justice. We are but one small piece of a much larger puzzle. But our platform and privilege enable us to advocate for and educate about programs such as Pennsylvania’s Expedited Review Program for pardons of Non-Violent Marijuana-Specific convictions.

If you have a non-violent marijuana specific conviction barring you from entering our industry, reach out to us at contact@maitrimeds.com. In Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to have a diverse community of public leaders who believe you deserve a fresh start, and have empowered us to help our community members navigate the pardons and expungement process. 

“If I can not do great things, I can do small things in great ways.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.