Add these endorsements to the growing list of Bold Progressives, endorsing Progressive Change, for a Blue America, and a A Livable World ....and you get a building wave for real reform.
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Bellows Endorsed By Major Marijuana Advocacy Groups
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 | Press Release
Today, Shenna Bellows, Maine’s Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, received endorsements from both the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) PAC as well as the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) PAC. Both organizations are leaders in the country’s growing legalization movement. Bellows is among the first U.S. Senate candidates to be endorsed by either group.
"I appreciate the opportunity to lead," said Bellows. "When you have the past three U.S. presidents acknowledging marijuana use, while our country locks up record numbers of primarily black and low-income young men for doing the same thing, then something is dramatically wrong, and we need change. Legalizing marijuana will benefit our economy and our civil rights."
In 2013, Bellows supported a successful ballot initiative in the city of Portland to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 years of age or older. The initiative, which passed with nearly 70% of the vote, was also supported by the Marijuana Policy Project. Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest organization working solely on marijuana policy reform in the United States.
“We’re supporting Shenna Bellows because she’s a leader, not a follower,” said Dan Riffle from the Marijuana Policy Project PAC. “Shenna was pointing out the failures of marijuana prohibition long before it was the politically popular thing to do. Like most Americans, we think marijuana should be taxed and responsibly regulated like alcohol. We’re going to do everything we can to put Shenna Bellows in the United States Senate so that under her leadership, we can make that a reality.”
Since its founding in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers.
"Shenna Bellows has been at the forefront of the fight for marijuana legalization even before beginning this campaign," stated NORML PAC Manager Erik Altieri, "During her tenure leading the Maine ACLU, Shenna has demonstrated she has the skill and determination to fight for sensible reforms and has proven to be a vocal and articulate leader in calling for the end of marijuana prohibition. We believe she will be invaluable in the United States Senate to help move the country away from our failed war on marijuana and towards a new, smarter approach."
Public opinion for legalizing marijuana is at an all-time high. Multiple national polls conducted over the past year show that most Americans are in favor of nationwide marijuana legalization. [1] [2] [3] [4]
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[1] http://www.gallup.com/...
[2] http://www.cbsnews.com/...
[3] http://i2.cdn.turner.com/...
[4] http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/...
To hear more of Shenna speaking to the issues, listen to this recent interview on
Thom Hartmann or on the
Sam Seder radio program (Shenna's portion begins at the 25 minute mark).
Bellows for Senate
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