Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

121 Mystic Ave.

Medford, MA 02155

Phone: 781-393-6985

www.LEAP.cc

I bet you didn’t know that there are law enforcement personnel who, based on their real life job experiences, want to repeal and change international drug policies and laws. Their mission statement reads as follows:

“Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is an international 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization of criminal justice professionals who bear personal witness to the wasteful futility and harms of our current drug policies.

Our experience on the front lines of the “war on drugs” has led us to call for a repeal of prohibition and its replacement with a tight system of legalized regulation, which will effectively cripple the violent cartels and street dealers who control the current illegal market.”

Started in 2002 with just five officers, they have grown to include civilian supporters and current or former law enforcement personnel from 87 countries. We are talking about police officers, FBI and DEA agents, judges, prison wardens, and prosecutors. LEAP has over 150 law enforcement speaker/members who can be called upon to present talks and panel sessions at civic, professional, educational, religious and public venues and meetings. Their purpose in their words:

“We [speak to] civic groups such as Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs. The people in these organizations are conservative folks who before, but not after, our presentations, mostly agree with the drug-warriors that we must continue the war on drugs at any cost. They are also solid members of their communities who belong to civic organizations because they want the best for their locales. Every one of them will be voting in every election. Many are policy-makers and if they are not, they are the people who can pull the coat tails of policy-makers and say, “We have someone you must hear talk about drug policy.” ”

How can LEAP help you?

By having a speaker come to your group meeting to educate the mainstream members of your community. In waking them up to the real costs of drug prohibition you are helping yourself and everyone else. You might even be surprised to find out who else is patient in your area. Read their statement of principles and get a clearer picture of what safe and responsible legalization could be like for all of us. Three of the 10 principles are:

“2. LEAP advocates the elimination of the policy of drug prohibition and the inauguration of a replacement policy of drug control and regulation, including regulations imposing appropriate age restrictions on drug sales and use, just as there are age restrictions on marriage, signing contracts, alcohol, tobacco, operating vehicles and heavy equipment, voting and so on.

3. LEAP believes that adult drug abuse is a health problem and not a law-enforcement matter, provided that the abuse does not harm other people or the property of others.

4. LEAP believes that adult drug use, however dangerous, is a matter of personal freedom as long as it does not impinge on the freedom or safety of others.”

How can you help LEAP spread the message that the current “War on Drugs” does not work and there are better alternatives?

Have your organization sign up a speaker for an upcoming meeting. By taking this action, you are helping to spread the word about the high cost to everyone of the “War on Drugs”. If you want people to be excited to come to a meeting and have conversations that open people’s eyes this is a way you can make a difference!

Civilians can become an associate member of LEAP with an annual fee of $25, or you can join their email list (free), donate money or time, and let others know about them. Their social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter are not monitored often due to time and personnel constraints. That might be one way some of you could help!

By using medical cannabis you are already an activist, because you have to protect your rights to safely obtain and use medical cannabis. So support the groups that support us! Volunteer, join, donate. If you and everyone else “leaves this to others to take care of” it won’t be taken care of!