Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation

"Marijuana: It’s Time for a Conversation" currently is available to more than 650,000 Comcast subscribers in the Western Washington region. Subscribers can view the program free of charge, 24/7, by selecting Channel 888, going to "Community," and choosing "Marijuana: Let’s Talk."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today launched a multimedia public education campaign on federal and state marijuana laws, their history and effectiveness. Called "Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation," the campaign includes a fact-filled website, an informational booklet and an innovative 30-minute video hosted by travel writer Rick Steves.

"We spend billions every year and arrest hundreds of thousands of Americans simply for possessing marijuana. We need to ask whether our laws are really working. Are they doing more harm than good?" said Kathleen Taylor, Executive Director of the ACLU of Washington.

"I've traveled throughout Europe and seen how they handle marijuana use and enforcement. I've learned that more thoughtful approaches can work," said Steves. "We need the understanding to go beyond 'hard' or 'soft' on drugs and find a policy that is 'smart on drugs'."

It is estimated that nationally, roughly $7.5 billion is spent annually for marijuana law enforcement and close to 830,000 Americans are arrested. Ninety percent of these arrests are simply for possession of marijuana. Some 98 million Americans have used marijuana.

"Enforcement clogs our courts and criminal justice system, diverting resources from more serious crimes against people and property," said Taylor. "At the same time, an arrest for just possessing marijuana has a life-changing impact on people. We heard of people losing jobs and financial aid for college, and of patients fearing that they may be unable to get medical marijuana even when their doctors recommend it."

"We think this is one of those times and issues where the public knows things aren't working, people have talked about it privately, but there is little or no public discussion," said the ACLU's Kathleen Taylor. "We intend to engage the public in a discussion. We're excited to see where it goes."

"As a parent of two teens I care deeply about this issue," noted Steves. "I have seen how Europe has approached drug use as a public health issue instead of building more jails. I find it interesting that marijuana use in Europe among both teens and adults is actually less than it is here."

The multi-media campaign features an in-depth website, www.MarijuanaConversation.org, and a booklet available free from the ACLU. In addition, Comcast will begin immediately to offer the 30-minute informational program free to subscribers through its On Demand service. Comcast subscribers can see the program by entering 888 on their cable remote, going to Community, and looking for the program in the Community center under "Marijuana: Let's Talk." The program can also be ordered as a DVD through the website.

Efforts are underway to secure time to broadcast the program over local stations.

The program was shot around the United States with leading experts on marijuana laws, their history and effectiveness. Noted New York physician and pharmacologist John Morgan said, "The most dangerous thing about marijuana is to be arrested for its possession or use."

The program was produced by nationally award-winning producer Michael Cuddy with help from Seattle public affairs consultant Blair Butterworth.

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