NAACP's recent call to end W.O.D. not so earth-shaking.

[SteveM]

The recent call by the National Association of Colored People to "end the War on Drugs," seen as a milestone by many, lacks the hitting power necessary to end the W.O.D.: A call for legalization and regulation. While many see the resolution as significant in light of the century-old organization's "conservative" disposition, the resolution is like other hand-wringing statements made by organizations and politicians over the last few decades: Long on sentiment, short on substance. My perusal of several pages of web sites dealing with the resolution does not reveal any concrete measures coming from the NAACP.

The NAACP correctly identifies the disparate conviction and sentencing rates when minorities and compared with the majority "white" population, and the waste of resources spent on incarceration, and lack of funding for "proven" rehabilitation programs, the resolution lacks the aggressive bite which would put the NAACP in league with those who have called for legalization and regulation for years. Perhaps in the future, the NAACP will make such a statement, but for now it must play catch-up with some of its state organizations:

"Last fall, the California NAACP expressed its 'unconditional support' for Proposition 19: The Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Initiative, which sought to legalize and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol."

http://ormmj.com/ca-naacp-passes-resolution-calling-for-an-end-to-the-war-on-drugs/

That is a substantive action and a solid hit in favor of ending the W.O.D.

Some may view legalization/regulation as an extreme litmus test for those wanting to end the W.O.D. In reality, legalization/regulation is first base. Until people sign on with that understanding, then sentiment will continue to hold sway without any real movement against the W.O.D. And we've seen plenty of that already.