CANNABIS BILL OF RIGHTS

This Cannabis Bill of Rights has been thoughtfully collated by our good friends over at Veterans Cannabis Coalition and we cannot think of a better messenger to take these ten demands to the nation’s capital on behalf of all cannabis users.

In the past we have written about 5 Things We Must Demand From Any Future Cannabis Legalization Measures but, admittedly, it comes up short on outlining and defining all of the essential rights we intend to keep fighting for. So we’re proud to endorse this effort by Veterans Cannabis Coalition.

I. Freedom of self-care: no law or regulation shall infringe or impede an adult person’s absolute right to consume or otherwise use cannabis for any purpose.

II. Freedom of cultivation: no law or regulation shall prevent or restrict an adult person’s right to grow cannabis in their residence, whether rented, owned, or publicly-subsidized, for non-commercial purposes.

III. Freedom of the commons: all responsible government entities will ensure that unused or under-utilized public land and facilities are made available for non-commercial citizen cannabis collectives and co-ops.

IV. Freedom from taxation: no law or regulation shall levy direct taxes on any stage of the cannabis production process, from cultivation to consumer sales—cannabis should be treated for tax purposes as a food and medicine.

V. Freedom of restoration: all government judicial entities will endeavor to expunge, dismiss, and commute any and all cannabis related-convictions and charges for all persons with no cost to the individual.

VI. Freedom of possession: no law or regulation shall restrict or penalize personal cannabis possession and no cannabis can be seized by agents of the state without a court order.

VII. Freedom of association: no law or regulation shall restrict the ability of individuals to exercise their rights regarding cannabis collectively for non-commercial purposes.

VIII. Freedom of research: no law or regulation shall create specific barriers to the scientific investigation of cannabis.

IX. Freedom from criminalization: no law or regulation shall apply criminal penalties specific to the consumption, cultivation, possession, manufacture, sale, or transport of cannabis; any criminality related to cannabis (tax evasion, fraud, driving under the influence, etc.) shall be prosecuted under existing law.

X. Freedom from stigma: no law, regulation, or judicial action shall use the presence or consumption of cannabis as an aggravating or disqualifying factor in court proceedings, employment, or any other government considerations.

We asked Eric why Veterans Cannabis Coalition felt it was important to draft these demands.

“We think it’s important to frame cannabis legalization in a way that centers on the needs and rights of people,” said Goepel, adding, “It’s a plant and medicine that humans have used for thousands of years to great benefit. The law should not infringe on individual rights to use cannabis non-commercially.”

This Cannabis Bill of Rights has been thoughtfully collated by our good friends over at Veterans Cannabis Coalition and we cannot think of a better messenger to take these ten demands to the nation’s capital on behalf of all cannabis users.

In the past we have written about 5 Things We Must Demand From Any Future Cannabis Legalization Measures but, admittedly, it comes up short on outlining and defining all of the essential rights we intend to keep fighting for. So we’re proud to endorse this effort by Veterans Cannabis Coalition.

Though they are all perfectly concise and very self-explanatory, below we will briefly flesh out each plank, 1-10, with some relevant stories or examples that we have come across in our research or day to day experience in the culture and industry.

See More of this story here…

You can find more information about their organization at veteranscannacoalition.org and be sure to follow them on Facebook and on Instagram @veteranscannacoalition