Will Maryland’s marijuana legalization leave Black people behind?

When Maryland voters overwhelmingly chose to legalize recreational marijuana last November, we hoped this might help put an end to the five-decades-long declaration of a war on drugs. Any breathing person now knows the so-called war targeted Black people and the poor. We’re keenly aware of this, having spent the bulk of our legal careers in and out of crowded courts, jails and swelling prisons. More black males could be found under some arm of the criminal justice system than could be found in any other institution, university or corporation in this state.