Major Neill Franklin, Executive Director of LEAP
SACRAMENTO, CA — A national organization of African American law enforcement officers has announced its endorsement of Proposition 19, California’s initiative to legalize marijuana.
The National Black Police Association (NBPA), which was founded in 1972 and is currently holding its 38th national conference in Sacramento, is urging a yes vote on legalization this November 2.
“When I was a cop in Baltimore, and even before that when I was growing up there, I saw with my own eyes the devastating impact these misguided marijuana laws have on our communities and neighborhoods. But it’s not just in Baltimore, or in Los Angeles; prohibition takes a toll on people of color across the country,” said Neill Franklin, a 33-year veteran police officer and executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), an international group of pro-legalization cops, judges, prosecutors and corrections officials who have been organizing to support Prop. 19. “This November, with the National Black Police Association’s help, Californians finally have an opportunity to do something about it by approving the initiative to control and tax marijuana.”
On Thursday, Franklin spoke alongside California NAACP president Alice Huffman at the NBPA conference on a panel about criminal justice issues like marijuana legalization.
Many cops and civil rights leaders are now speaking out against marijuana prohibition because it is not only ineffective at reducing marijuana use and results in the arrest and incarceration of people of color at a highly disproportionate rate, but also because making marijuana illegal has created a lucrative black market controlled by violent gangs and cartels. LEAP has organized a group of more than 30 California police officers, judges, prosecutors and other criminal justice professionals who support Prop. 19.
Contact your elected representatives and urge them to 'Stop Arresting Marijuana Smokers'. 
Good stuff!
It warms my heart to think that one day I may live in a society that I can approach a cop openly and honestly without ANY fear whatsoever!
Imagine not fearing the cops and instead looking at them as friends and comrades…that would be simply beautiful.
Hopefully someday soon
Mr. Franklin is a godsent,yet we fail to fully utilize his voice. Big donors should finance his media appearances for the next 10 weeks in California…Lynette Shaw is a perfect balance to speak with him,and she has a history of working with law enf. over the last 13 years. There is no real debate,it’s getting/giving the courage to free yourself ,which many people lack. Neil and Lynette Shaw impart a cognitive confidence that allows a YES on Prop 19 involvement.