More than fifty Massachusetts religious leaders come out in favor of Question 2

This message from the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy is being forwarded to MPP subscribers on the Yes on Question 2 campaign's behalf.

On the final day before Question 2 goes to a vote, 51 Massachusetts religious leaders, hailing from more than 45 towns and representing a wide variety of faith traditions, have come out in favor of its passage. This impressive support indicates the measure's mainstream appeal and reveals that yet another talking point from the opposition is completely fabricated — that clergy are uniformly opposed to this commonsense reform.

These faith leaders list numerous reasons for their unified support for Question 2, including the fact that the consequences of Massachusetts' current marijuana law is "imposed on 7,500 people a year ... [and] are especially detrimental to people of color, youth, and the economically disadvantaged, already burdened by limited opportunities."

You can support our efforts to make good on these and other endorsements by donating today. We are mounting an aggressive get-out-the-vote effort and need your support in these crucial final hours.

The clergy calling for more just and compassionate policies are from a dozen different faiths, including Catholic, Congregationalist, and American Baptist. Several denominations and other major religious groups also have adopted official positions opposing criminal penalties for marijuana users, including the National Council of Churches, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church USA, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the Unitarian Universalist Association.

This wide support stands in contrast to the small group of only six clergy members who recently spoke out against Question 2, having been misled into believing that replacing criminal penalties with a civil fine would lead to an increase in marijuana usage by young people. In fact, 11 other states have enacted similar laws in the past 35 years, and there has been no resulting increase in marijuana use in any age group in those states.

This show of support is inspiring, and we need to make the most of it. Please consider donating today and, most importantly, get out and vote tomorrow. Make sure your family and friends vote. Please also double-check your polling location, so you have all the information you need, and contact CSMP field coordinator Jesse Sullivan if you have further questions.

This campaign has generated a lot of attention and even more enthusiasm. Thank you to all of our supporters. We're almost done ... but not quite. Please keep the momentum up for one more day!