Speakers, including those from the cannabis and entertainment industries, religious institutions and law enforcement, discussed how racism fueled the war on drugs and how targeted criminalization is behind the criminal-justice system today.

Actor, comedian, filmmaker and cannabis entrepreneur, Seth Rogen shared support for expungement of criminal records for cannabis crimes in a recent panel discussion at “Reimagining Justice: Race, Cannabis, and Policing.” The online event was organized by Marijuana Policy Project and sponsored by Pax and Rogen’s cannabis brand Houseplant, and it brought together a variety of guests to discuss topics surrounding cannabis policing and race.

The Marijuana Policy Project's Steven Hawkins, who has held senior roles at Amnesty International and the NAACP, emphasizes legalization as a "civil rights issue." He’s now guiding the organization at a moment when the American public may be receptive to the idea as never before.

Seth Rogen and his movie-making partner Evan Goldberg appeared on Marijuana Policy Project's "Reimagining Justice" Zoom program on July 15. Rogen started by calling the drug war "racist" and apologizing for his white privilege.

"We’re really focused on trying to bring home these people who are sitting in jail, still, for marijuana possession. Obviously, there are people now who’ve made millions and almost billions of dollars from it and, you know, there are still people locked up. And after these people have served their time, they have no opportunities because they have to work around with this blemish on their record where it doesn’t allow them to apply for jobs."

“If this passes, it becomes part of the Nebraska constitution. We think the legislature, if this passes, they are going to feel not only a mandate from the voters but also a constitutional responsibility to implement what’s now in the constitution. [But] that’s a battle for another day. We have to make sure it’s on the ballot and make sure it passes,” said Jared Moffat, who has worked on the campaign for more than a year through his role as campaigns coordinator for the Marijuana Policy Project.

The event is “Reimagining Justice,” a three-and-a-half-hour live-steam event focusing on cannabis and racial justice reform, and scheduled for Wednesday, 1 to 4:30 p.m. E.D.T. The conference is being sponsored by the Marijuana Policy Project and is available for registration as well as viewable on MPP’s Facebook Live.

"The position on cannabis policy put forth by the Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force is disappointing but not surprising. Joe Biden has been out of touch with the strong majority of Americans who support legalization," Violet Cavendish, communications manager at the Marijuana Policy Project, told Newsweek.

"Consumers choose to grow their own or purchase from unregulated sources," said Matt Simon, New England Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This won't change until more patients and consumers begin to believe that licensed retailers are their best option for obtaining cannabis."

"We are privileged to have the opportunity to partner with MPP and to raise significant money to aid in legalization and decriminalization efforts nationwide." — Jim Turner, Managing Director, Kannabis Kings Apparel LLC