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The famous ice cream chain "Ben and Jerry's" has issued a statement and petition on racial injustice involving a disparity between marijuana arrests among white and black Americans.
This is not an official holiday today nationally or internationally, but millions of people around the world are celebrating what was once a secret holiday: 4/20. With a growing number of states legalizing the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes despite federal laws, the holiday has more attention than ever before.
Ben and Jerry's used their social networks to point to a problem of racial injustice that is often discussed when it comes to legalizing marijuana. Their Twitter post contains more than 20,000 retweets since their release a few hours ago.
It is hard to celebrate the 4/20 when so many people of color are still arrested for buying pot. We must do better. Learn more: https://t.co/DPCcqND0SI pic.twitter.com/fLsngGteOF
– Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 20, 2019
"Let's be clear: even with increased legalization, hundreds of thousands of people are still being arrested for selling marijuana. And most of these people are black. Ben and Jerry said in a blog posted on their website. "Black residents of New York City, for example, are 8 times more likely to be arrested than whites."
The Ice Cream Society is asking Congress to make a change regarding the millions of Americans whose lives have been affected by marijuana possession charges.
"We call on Congress to cancel past convictions for marijuana and to grant pardon / amnesty to anyone whose only crime was possession of cannabis. Cities like San Francisco and Seattle are already doing it. It's time to take this national. Said Ben and Jerry's.
Their online petition has more than 20,000 signatures to date.
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