The Ban the Box, or Fair Chance, movement is sweeping the nation as civil rights advocates fight for the right of people that have paid their debt to society, but have a difficult time supporting themselves because their conviction. Unfortunately, people of color and poor people from all walks of life, are unfairly harmed by their criminal record. Of course, the Drug War is a huge culprit in keeping people of color, and poor people in general, mired in the system and in poverty. Oregon’s Ban the Box law takes effect on January 1, 2016, and I was so happy to see that my congressman, Earl Blumenauer was joining forces with other prominent legislators to take the fight national, to the Halls of Congress:
With the largest prison population in the world, we must find ways to restore the lives of individuals, their families,…
Posted by Earl Blumenauer on Thursday, September 10, 2015
I encourage everyone to contact their federal representatives to urge them to join this important fight. Also, if you can urge your local and state legislators to pass similar legislation if they haven’t already. Everyone should be judged on their merits and not discounted immediately because of their criminal conviction, especially if it is a nonviolent drug offense that didn’t hurt anyone. Employers are still free to conduct background checks, but Ban the Box legislation allows everyone to be considered for the job and not discounted immediately. We are all better off if everyone has an opportunity to rise out of poverty. So please, join the national campaign and make your voice heard.
Anthony Johnson
Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.
