Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 21 JANUARY 2026

MLK Day 2026: Cannabis And Civil Rights

Harris Sliwoski
Explore more from Harris Sliwoski

The theme of all these posts is that cannabis is a civil rights issue, and that Dr. King would have advocated for ending...

United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Vince Sliwoski
Vince Sliwoski
Author LinkedIn connections

It's MLK Day once again.

I have written an MLK Day post on this blog for nine consecutive years. The theme of all these posts is that cannabis is a civil rights issue, and that Dr. King would have advocated for ending marijuana prohibition based on that fact.

Each year, I have demonstrated with facts (upon facts upon facts) that the War on Drugs continues in insidious ways. In, 2024, which is the most recent year that FBI data is available, law enforcement officials made nearly 190,000 arrests for marijuana possession and distribution, comprising over 22% of all drug-related arrests. Of those arrests, 92% were for marijuana possession. The other 8% of marijuana-related arrests were defined as "sales/manufacturing."

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Article

The Intoxicating Hemp Products Ban Was Delayed A Month. Now What?

The House has passed a short-term funding bill postponing the federal ban on hemp-derived THC products from November 12th to December 11th. With comprehensive legislation unlikely before the new deadline and competing interests from cannabis sellers, alcohol producers, and state regulators creating policy gridlock, the future of intoxicating hemp products remains uncertain as midterm elections approach.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Harris Sliwoski
Harris Sliwoski
Article

"Marijuana" Rescheduling Delayed, Again. What It Could Mean, And What Comes Next

The DEA's marijuana rescheduling hearing has been unexpectedly stayed following a motion to admit a new GAO report examining agency scheduling procedures. With the proceeding on hold and the medical marijuana Schedule III order facing legal challenges in the D.C. Circuit, the cannabis industry's path to federal tax relief through rescheduling has become increasingly uncertain.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Harris Sliwoski
Harris Sliwoski
Article

IRC Section 280E And Cannabis Tax Planning: Recent Developments And Practical Considerations

The landscape surrounding Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code continues to evolve with President Trump's Executive Order on medical marijuana rescheduling, advancing litigation in New Mexico Top Organics v. Commissioner, and shifting regulatory signals. Cannabis taxpayers face critical decisions about taking "non-280E" positions on their tax returns while the IRS maintains its enforcement stance and the U.S. Tax Court case addressing common arguments remains pending.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP