During his nearly five decades as an activist, Rev. Al Sharpton has fought against many civil rights injustices. Recently, after seeing how the criminalization of cannabis has ruined the lives of many low-level drug offenders, the 62-year-old civil rights activist, Baptist minister, talk show host, and former adviser to President Barack Obama put his significant support and voice behind reform and the promotion of diversity in the cannabis industry. Despite some pushback, he’s sticking to his stance and this year spoke out at the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo in both New York City and Los Angeles, where he was the keynote speaker.

At the L.A. Expo, MERRY JANE News correspondent Brooke Burgstahler sat down with Rev. Sharpton to discuss a variety of cannabis issues. Join them as he discusses his reasons for getting involved in the fight for decriminalization, his observations during Barack Obama’s presidency, the impact of the War on Drugs, the health benefits of cannabis, civil liberties, how to diversify the industry, how to get involved in the struggle, and smoking a joint is a political statement.

With that last one in mind, watch the interview, light something, and let the government know how you really feel.