I was proud of New Orleans when the City Council decriminalized cannabis possession in 2016. But, while this was a far more sensible policy than jail time, the policy continues to derail lives and waste police time. More than 15,000 individuals have been branded with misdemeanor convictions under the ordinances, which carry the same life-altering consequences as offenses that carry jail time. This scarlet letter can make it impossible to get housing, a job, or a student loan. Please support the package of ordinances — 33328, 33329, and 33330 — and Motion M-21-173 that would pardon both past and future convictions for cannabis possession. Half of Americans have used cannabis, and most Louisianans think it should be completely legal. It’s wrong to cut futures short for those unlucky enough to get caught.

Two-thirds of Louisiana voters believe cannabis should be legal. Unfortunately, state legislators failed to act on this overwhelming popular support, and New Orleans lacks the authority to completely legalize cannabis. However, the Council can make progress toward full decriminalization. Please support City Council President Helena Moreno’s ordinances (33328, 33329, and 33330) and Motion M-21-173, which would fully decriminalize cannabis in New Orleans. They would pardon past and future city cannabis possession charges, while having a summons for public smoking of cannabis. This will ensure that people aren’t haunted by a record for conduct most voters think should be legal.

Our law enforcement resources should be focused on solving crimes with victims and should be impartial. Yet, more than 15,000 citations have been issued for marijuana possession under the 2016 decriminalization law, and in the most recent year with data 86% of them were issued to Black individuals. This kind of unequal enforcement is wrong. And it corrodes trust between police and communities. Will you please support City Council President Helena Moreno’s cannabis ordinances, which would pardon those stigmatizing records and all cannabis possession offenses going forward? The “Big Easy” shouldn’t be ruining lives and wasting police time for a plant that is safer than alcohol.