Join SSDP in Baltimore on Monday, July 8th!

Drug legalization is not only harm reduction but also a public health, public safety, and racial justice issue.

Every year, there are more than 1.5 million drug arrests in the United States. More than 80% of these arrests are for possession only.

Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and some are exploring the merits of decriminalizing other drugs. The opioid crisis has jump-started the conversation on the best approach to drug use across the country, including in Maryland.

While drug decriminalization is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to protect the rights of people who use drugs and people of color. The War on Drugs has been an epic failure and it will take love, determination, vision, and leadership to open people’s minds about ending prohibition.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the National Coalition for Drug Legalization are proud to present this opportunity for community engagement, education, and exploration of how drug legalization can be a way to protect public safety. 

Register to Attend

Featured Speakers

Kat Murti, Executive Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy – Kat began her journey with SSDP in January 2009 and has held multiple roles within the organization. She has been a tireless advocate of ending the War on Drugs for the past 17 years.

Veronica Wright, Founder, National Coalition for Drug Legalization – Veronica is a community leader and strong advocate for the legalization of all drugs. She formerly served on Maryland Montgomery County’s Community Development Action Committee, Maryland Montgomery County’s Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Advisory Council, and as co-chair of the NAACP Maryland State Conference Economic Development Committee.

Neill Franklin, Board Member, National Coalition for Drug Legalization – Neill is a 34-year law enforcement veteran who retired from the Maryland State Police, where he held command positions for both the Education and Career Development Command and the Bureau of Drug and Criminal Enforcement.

Jessica Russell, Pratt Free Market Coordinator, Enoch Pratt Free Library – Jessica is an Indigenous American eclectic artist and community activist. Employing art as a powerful means of community organization, she has dedicated herself to addressing the urgent need for safe spaces that significantly elevate community members’ awareness of city resources.

Leo Wilson Jr., CEO, A Thought Processed, LLC – A Thought Processed is a boutique media production company and broadcasting network focused on creating positive global impact and change by utilizing creativity and innovation to document socioeconomic issues within our communities and produce relevant outputting works of art.

Duane Davis aka Shorty, Community Activist – As a formerly incarcerated individual, Duane seeks the opportunity to share his story in an effort to help others understand the complexities of the drug war, seek freedom and justice, and challenge oppressive systems anywhere in the world.

Dan Morhaim, M.D. Board-Certified Physician, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine – Dan has over 40 years front-line clinical experience in urban, suburban, and rural hospitals. As a Maryland State Legislator, Dan was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1994 and served for 24 years. He was faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where he taught graduate students and does research.

Natalie Flath, PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Epidemiology, Community Action, Social Justice – A scholar activist with over 10 years of international and domestic experience with an emphasis on integrating civil society leadership and rigorous research practice, Natalie is currently researching drug market violence with the National Coalition for Drug Legalization.