8 January 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dr. Cindy Banyai (D), Candidate for Florida Congressional District 19, joins No Dem Left Behind Coalition’s Platform on Legalizing Cannabis
On December 19, 2019, No Dem Left Behind, a grassroots coalition of Democratic candidates, announced their platform on legalizing cannabis. No Dem Left Behind has announced their support of the expungement of all nonviolent offenders as a result of cannabis, and the federal legalization of cannabis, due to the positive consequences agriculturally, and to the criminal justice system. Dr. Cindy Banyai (D), candidate for Florida Congressional District 19 and member of the No Dem Left Behind Coalition, announces support for the platform of federal legalization and expungement of cannabis.
“With medical use of cannabis already legal in Florida, it has become increasingly difficult for law enforcement to know what is and is not legally obtained,” Dr Banyai stated. “We need federal and state policy on cannabis to align to avoid wrongful arrests and provide people with relief and comfort. End the loopholes and give the people what they have shown they want through the ballot box.”
Background
Agricultural & Environmental Benefits - Under our current system, the criminalization of cannabis doesn’t prevent it from being grown, but only prevents it from being grown using viable methods. As cannabis is grown indoors, it requires intense light fixtures, complicated humidifiers, continuous air conditioners, purifiers, and ventilation systems. Growing cannabis indoors uses 1% of the nation’s total electricity uses. NDLB supports the legalization of cannabis to enable more efficient growth practices throughout the United States, reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.
Criminal Justice System Benefits - The criminalization of cannabis has disproportionately affected communities of color, especially black communities. In the United States, African American individuals are 4 times more likely than white individuals to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite using marijuana at the same rate as white individuals. NDLB believes that the legalization of cannabis will positively affect the criminal justice system by decline the number of nonviolent offenders and reducing the number of African American individuals who are targeted by law enforcement.
Cannabis & The GOP - The Trump Administration’s farm bailouts have done little to address the problems facing the agricultural community, and have cost the taxpayer
b illions. No Dem Left Behind’s support of legalizing cannabis will offer support for both the taxpayer and the farmers, enabling them to make up the sales that were lost thanks to the Trump Administration’s trade dispute with marijuana sales.
About No Dem Left Behind
No Dem Left Behind is a national grassroots coalition dedicated to getting Democratic candidates in red districts elected. It is composed of nine candidates across the country.
Contact for Friends of Cindy Banyai
Meagan Vargas
Communications Director
Friends of Cindy Banyai
239-351-5574
Contact for No Dem Left Behind
Rachel Eppler
No Democrat Left Behind Political Coordinator
708.505.9686
rachel@nodemleftbehind.com
www.nodemleftbehind.com
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