Jack Cole of LEAP speaks at the Boston Freedom Rally 2010
5/10/2011 – Jack Cole used to go deep undercover to bust marijuana dealers in New York and New Jersey. But since his retirement he founded Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group that now boasts thousands of retired and current members of law enforcement who want to stop the war on drugs. Marijuana consumes most of the resources in this senseless conflict. Nobody knows that better than Cole, that’s why he has traveled to Augusta, Maine to speak before the first committee hearing for cannabis legalization later today.
“Since 1970, we’ve spent more than a trillion dollars on this war and all we have to show for it each year is we arrest another 1.6 million people in this country for nonviolent drug offenses. Fully half are marijuana arrests,” said Cole.
LEAP speakers testify in favor of marijuana reform all around the country. The impact of LEAP’s presence on legislators and the public is profound; the stories from the front-lines are moving and LEAP’s perspective is undeniable.
Maine Rep. Diane Russell, the sponsor of LD 1453, and Jack Cole of LEAP will participate in a press conference at 12 noon today followed by hearings before the Criminal Justice Committee starting at 1PM. LISTEN LIVE HERE
Last year Cole was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to support HB 1393, a bill to legalize medical marijuana. Video of that powerful testimony is below.
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