Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cannabis Legalization

Although there is no evidence that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ever consumed cannabis, he was an extremely influential activist who openly supported equal rights and just laws. It could be argued that individuals have a right to consume cannabis, given its proven medicinal properties. Martin Luther King, Jr. day and the powerful messages of the doctor are a reminder of the responsibility that we each hold in demanding an end to federal cannabis prohibition.

Dr. King, Jr once said, “In any civilized society, it is every citizen’s responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizen’s responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in a Birmingham jail. It was during this time that he outlined the four stages of nonviolent civil disobedience in the form of a letter:

“In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: Collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case. On the basis of these conditions, Negro leaders sought to negotiate with the city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation.”

Much like Dr. King outlined in his letter, people of color have been facing discrimination in this country for centuries. The “War on Drugs” continues to perpetuate these injustices disproportionately toward people of color, which continues to point to the very important mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Although we cannot apologize or change the horrible realities of our past, it is necessary to continue spreading Dr. King’s message of racial equality. One of the various ways we can make progress toward this need is by ending the racist “War on Drugs” once and for all.

Our community will continue to advocate for what is just, and that is allowing access to a plant. Although it may not be easy, change rarely is. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”