Tuesday, May 16, 2017

We are the Law Enforcement Action Partnership

Dear Readers,

We have some very exciting news to share. As many of you may already know, in January 2017, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition became the Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

For more than a year, our board and staff worked to expand into the broader field of criminal justice reform while maintaining a keen focus on our drug policy work. Not only is this expanded scope a natural fit for our speakers’ criminal justice expertise, but it’s also helping us to become even more effective at moving the drug policy reform conversation forward. And, as I wrote on the Huffington Post earlier this year, when you care about something, you want it to be the best it can be. With the right criminal justice reforms, we can do better, for ourselves and for our communities. Our new name reflects the core of our organization: 

Law Enforcement: Our commitment to addressing criminal justice issues from a law enforcement perspective and restoring trust between police and the communities they serve remains steadfast.
Action: Working toward real, tangible solutions to justice and public safety issues has never been more important.

Partnership: We will continue to build our internal network of criminal justice experts speaking out for more practical, ethical criminal justice policies: our speakers, who are the heart of the organization. And we will continue to build on our invaluable alliances with fellow drug policy and criminal justice reform organizations, working together for a better criminal justice system and improved public safety. 

By highlighting our positions on issues such as police-community relations, incarceration, harm reduction, and global issues, in addition to our longstanding work in drug policy, we are opening new doors and increasing our reach as the voice of law enforcement officers working for criminal justice reform. 

Please visit our new website to read all about the issues we’re working on.

This was a huge step for our organization, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for your continued support – through your activism, encouragement, and investment in our efforts. We look forward to working with you as the Law Enforcement Action Partnership grows!

Thank you, 
http://leap.cc/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Neillsig.jpg
Major Neill Franklin (Ret.)
Executive Director The Law Enforcement Action Partnership

Monday, November 7, 2016

Press Release: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES FL MEDICAL MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

Mikayla Hellwich                                                      
240.461.3066

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES FL MEDICAL MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Experts Support Amendment 2 to Protect Patient Rights

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals advocating for marijuana reform, endorses Amendment 2 as a means of protecting the rights and safety of sick, elderly, and disabled patients. Amendment 2 will allow patients with debilitating conditions, as outlined by the bill, to purchase marijuana from licensed, regulated dispensaries.

“Florida is known as a comfortable place for retirees, many of whom battle with painful and debilitating conditions,” said Special Agent Ray Strack (Ret.), a veteran U.S. Customs agent and speaker for LEAP. “Passing Amendment 2 will be fantastic for people, no different from our parents and grandparents, who are suffering and will benefit from safe and regulated access to medical marijuana.”

Amendment 2 is endorsed by The Miami Herald and other major newspapers, ACLU of Florida, Florida NAACP, Teamsters 2011, Palm Beach County Democratic Black Caucus, United Teachers of Dade, and U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, Joe Garcia, Alcee Hastings, and other state legislators.

Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access. Florida is one of four states voting to reform medical marijuana laws this election.    

LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.


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Thursday, October 27, 2016

Press Release: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES QUESTION 2, THE INITIATIVE TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL IN NEVADA

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2016

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich
Media@leap.cc
240.461.3066

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES QUESTION 2, THE INITIATIVE TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL IN NEVADA

Criminal Justice Experts Say Question 2 Will Promote Public Safety

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals, today announced its endorsement of Nevada’s ballot Question 2 to regulate marijuana as a means of refocusing the justice system on more pressing crimes and improving the relationship between communities and police.

The proposed initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to one eighth of an ounce of marijuana extract. Question 2 would also establish the framework for a responsibly regulated system of licensed marijuana retail stores and cultivation, manufacturing, and testing facilities. The initiative would place a 15% excise tax on wholesale marijuana sales.

Responsibly regulating marijuana will help to drive out the risky and untaxed illegal marijuana market – thus reducing the power of gangs and improving public safety for Nevada’s residents and law enforcement officers,” said Maj. Neill Franklin (Ret.), LEAP’s executive director. “Police will then be able to refocus valuable resources to help bring justice to victims of serious crimes.”

If passed, Question 2 will ensure protection for patients enrolled in Nevada’s medical marijuana program. Consuming marijuana in public and driving while impaired on marijuana will remain illegal. Taxes and fees will first be used to pay for state and local implementation and enforcement, and all additional money will support K-12 education. According to a Suffolk University poll, 57% of Nevadans support the measure.

California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Arizona are also voting to legalize marijuana for adult use through the ballot initiative process this November. Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access.

LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

PRESS RELEASE: LEAP endorses MA marijuana legalization, Question 4


Contact: Mikayla Hellwich
Media@leap.cc
240.461.3066


LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES MA MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, QUESTION 4
Criminal Justice Experts Support Campaign to Legalize Marijuana to Promote Public Safety
The Massachusetts Secretary of State has announced that an opportunity to legalize marijuana, Question 4, will be on the November ballot. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals advocating for marijuana legalization, endorses the measure as a means of refocusing the justice system on more serious matters and improving the relationship between communities and police. Question 4 will allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants in a secure area of the home.
“Just because fewer people are arrested for marijuana in Massachusetts now doesn’t mean the illegal market disappeared,” saidOfficer Patrick Heintz (Ret.), a retired corrections officer, substance-abuse counselor, and LEAP speaker. “Underground marijuana dealers are still out there – profiting from a product we relegated to their control. Regulation ensures profits are directed to licensed business owners who pay taxes instead of potentially dangerous criminals. I’m voting Yes on Question 4.”
Question 4 is endorsed by Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing, ACLU of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Moms for Regulation and Taxation, and Union of Minority Neighborhoods, and assorted state legislators, doctors, nurses, academics, and faith leaders.
Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access. Measures to legalize marijuana for adult use are also on the November ballot in Maine, Arizona, California, and Nevada.
LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.

Campaign Contact: Jim Borghesani
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PRESS RELEASE: LEAP endorses AZ marijuana legalization, Prop. 205

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich
Media@leap.cc
240.461.3066


LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) ENDORSES AZ MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, PROP. 205
Criminal Justice Experts Support Campaign to Legalize Marijuana to Promote Public Safety
The Arizona Secretary of State has announced that an opportunity to legalize marijuana, Proposition 205, will be on the November ballot. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit group of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals advocating for marijuana legalization, endorses the measure as a means of refocusing the justice system on more serious matters and improving the relationship between communities and police. Prop. 205 will allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, grow up to six plants in a secure area of the home, and allocate an estimated $55 million from marijuana sales taxes and licensing fees for K-12 education and full-day kindergarten programs.
“Marijuana arrests are damaging the lives of good people all over Arizona,” said Lt. Tony Ryan (Ret.), a LEAP speaker, 36-year veteran of the Denver Police Department, and Arizona resident. “Marijuana prohibition makes people distrust police for enforcing laws that take away education, job, and housing opportunities, as well as the rights of good parents. Prohibition is harmful and counterproductive. I'm voting Yes on Prop. 205.”
The Campaign To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected 258,582 signatures, over 100,000 more than the state required. The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office certified the measure on August 11th.
Prop. 205 is also endorsed by over a dozen conservative, liberal, and libertarian officials and organizations, including the Arizona Libertarian Party, the Arizona Democratic Party, The La Paz County Republican Committee.
Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access. Ballot measures to legalize marijuana for adult use are on the November ballot in Maine, Massachusetts, California, and Nevada.
LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.
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Thursday, July 14, 2016

Press Release: LEAP Declares Support for Maine Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich
media@leap.cc - 240.461.3066 

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 14, 2016

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND MAINE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, BALLOT QUESTION 1

Criminal Justice Experts Endorse Maine Campaign to Legalize Marijuana to Promote Public Safety

Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has announced that Question 1 on Maine’s November ballot will be an initiative to legalize marijuana. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a nonprofit organization of police, judges, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals advocating for marijuana legalization, endorses the measure as a means of refocusing the justice system on more serious matters and improving the relationship between communities and police.  As summarized by the Maine Secretary of State, Question 1 will "allow the possession and use of marijuana under state law by persons who are at least 21 years of age, and allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance."

“Legalizing, taxing, and regulating marijuana is already proving successful in other states,” said Maj. Neill Franklin (Ret.), LEAP’s executive director. “We have a duty to ensure law enforcement prioritizes public safety above the responsible behavior of otherwise law-abiding adults.”

The campaign collected more than the 61,123 signatures required to qualify for the ballot.

Question 1 would allocate marijuana taxes to Maine’s General Fund to bolster local budgets.

Marijuana is legal for adult use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Twenty-five states and D.C. have legalized some form of medical marijuana access.

LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed marijuana policies that have damaged the lives of countless Americans and their families, slowed the justice system at every level, and eroded trust between communities and police.

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