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While residents engage in 4/20-based activities, Ben & Jerry’s, the popular ice cream brand, is reminding US residents about overrepresentation of black citizens in the justice system.
The company, responsible for ice cream flavours such as “half baked” and “peanut butter half baked,” released a statement on Friday calling on congress to “expunge prior marijuana convictions and provide pardons/amnesty” to those whose only convictions were possession of cannabis.
“Fans of cannabis can celebrate 4/20 openly and in style in more places than ever before. And even if you’re not in a state that legalized pot, there’s still a pretty good chance that the cops won’t hassle you as you spend 4/20 doing your thing,” the release said.
It’s hard to celebrate 4/20 when so many people of color are still being arrested for pot. We have to do better. Learn more: https://t.co/DPCcqND0SI pic.twitter.com/fLsngGteOF
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 20, 2019
“If you’re a white person.”
Ben & Jerry’s stated that between 2001 and 2010 there were 8 million pot-related arrests, 88 per cent of which were for possession, citing an ACLU data document.
“And during that time, a Black person was 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person,” they said.
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
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 19, 2019
Ben & Jerry’s are asking for signatures for a petition in hopes that their movement will spark state and federal change in the country.