Background and Perspective
Over 2.1 million people are now incarcerated in the US, more than any other nation on the planet, including Russia, South Africa, and China.
The U.S. to an alarming degree manifests, as theologian Richard Snyder reminds us, a “culture of punishment.”
The U.S. to an alarming degree manifests as a “culture of punishment.”Theologian Richard Snyder
Weapons of punishment include a federal budget of over $215 billion for prisons, police and courts; mandatory minimum sentencing; seizures of property by law enforcement without due process; indiscriminate, and highly discriminatory, police sweeps as attempts to tamp down entire neighborhoods; and the privatizing of prisons. The ideology of this War is now embedded in our institutions of law enforcement and abetted politicians who fear being labeled soft on crime.
The War on Drugs when it was conceived in 1971 sought to conflate race and crime in the public mind for political purposes. This has worked. Even though drug use is roughly equivalent across ethnic groups, the vast proportion of those in jail are people of color. In 2006, one in every 15 black men was behind bars and one in every 34 Latino men, compared to one in 104 white men. As a result, young black men in most states are more likely to go to prison than college.
Faith Concerns
A spirit of punishment has been embedded in the national psyche since the earliest days of our nation. This theology of punishment is wrong and must be reversed.
Law serves many important functions. It keeps us from harming each other. But punishment in the hands of the criminal justice system to instruct personal morality results in arrests that brand people for life, even for minor possible offenses. It separates us from each other, and marginalizes individuals, most often people of color.
As clergy who oppose institutional racism, we have more than ample reason to seek alternatives to this Drug War on grounds of injustice. But our faith should take us even deeper. It should cause us to reject its very premise, based on our religious principles of compassion, healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and love.
Recommendations and Next Steps
Specifically, we urge adoption of the following recommendations and next steps:
- Expand diversion programs that offer education and treatment rather than jail for those possessing drugs who have not harmed others and require such services.
- Promote harm reduction programs that protect individuals as they use drugs and assist them in becoming drug free.
- Reduce collateral consequences, including restoration of eligibility for housing, food stamps, education grants, and other supports for those seeking to rebuild their lives after a conviction for low-level drug use.
- Eliminate at the state and federal levels mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession.
- Support clemency for individuals sentenced under prior drug laws that would not be found guilty under present law.
- Pass medical cannabis in those states beyond the 29 that have already done so.
- Review at the national level models in other countries, including Portugal, that have decriminalized the possession of all drugs; and develop pilot projects to test this model.
- Pass either decriminalization, or taxation and regulation, of cannabis at the state level.
- Revise forfeiture laws that enable police to seize property of those accused but not convicted of drug law violation.
We declare our support for these recommendations and next steps, with the collective purpose of seeking an end to the failed War on Drugs and advancing a paradigm of “health not punishment” in our society.
Click here to sign your name in support of the Religious Declaration.
Supporters
Alabama
Clergy
Pastor Jeffrey Livings, Alabama
Pastor, First Cannabis Church
Non-Clergy
Kenny Ward, Alabama
Stephanie Shannon, Alabama
Activist
Brian White, Alabama
Administrator, United Cannabis Advocates
Laura Cooner, Alabama
Lisa Jabbour, Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Clergy
Rev. Warren Adams-Ockrassa, Arizona
Non-Clergy
Michael Lawhon, Arizona
Crisis Specialist / Addiction Counselor
Maureen Jo Begley, Arizona
Advocate
Arkansas
California
Clergy
Rev. Jim Conn, California
Retired Minister, United Methodist Church
Rev. Peter Laarman, California
Coordinator, Justice Not Jails
Randal Watson, California
Minister, Olive St. Church
Non-Clergy
Patricia Yeakley, California
Niki Wiessner, California
Amber Harris, California
Jan Oringer, California
Howard Oringer, California
Eric Anderson, California
Social Scientist, Hugeupside.com
Ephrat Livni, Esq., California
Lawyer/Writer
Sheri, RN, California
Cannabis Nurse, American Cannabis Nurses Association
Stacy Watson, California
Case Manager, Neighborhood Church
Akili-Hamid Khalfani, California
Conflict Resolution Practitioner, Crime Prevention, Case Manager-Christian Coach, PBP Inc.
Jolene Edwards, California
Member, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia
Alison Moscoso, California
Colorado
Clergy
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris, Colorado
Reverend, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango
Rev. Mark Meeks, Colorado
Minister, Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Douglas R. Sharp, Colorado
Non-Clergy
Sallie Baker, Colorado
Member, Former Elder, Presbyterian Church USA, South Park Community Church
Joe Huggins, Colorado
Stephanie Llinas, Colorado
Audrey Marie, Colorardo
Connecticut
Donald DeJesus, Connecticut
Evangelist Preacher, Mystery Communion
Susan, Connecticut
Program Coordinator
Delaware
Clergy
Rev. Cynthia E. Robinson, Delaware
Pastor, New Ark United Church of Christ
Florida
Clergy
Rev. Nancy Wilson, Florida
Moderator
Rev. Stephen E. Braddock, Florida
President & CEO, Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, Inc.
Georgia
Rev. Anita Cantrell-Davis, MDiv, Georgia
Ordained Minister & Advanced Addiction Counselor, Non-Denominational & Counseling Solutions of Chatsworth
Rev. Dean Sines, Georgia
Clergy, THC Ministry
Non-Clergy
Sharon Ravert, Georgia
Executive Director, Peachtree NORML
Kim Smith, Georgia
Peachtree NORML
LaShunne Johnson, Georgia
Positive Community Activist, Cutting Edge Ministries
Hop McIntosh, Georgia
John Shepard, Georgia
David Price, Georgia
John Scott, Georgia
David Price, Georgia
Justin Kyall, Georgia
Hawaii
Clergy
Rev Teri Heede, Hawaii
Idaho
Non-Clergy
Paul Flatt, Idaho
Illinois
Clergy
Rev. Al Sharp, Illinois
Director, Clergy for a New Drug Policy
Pastor Leslie K. Ritter-Jenkins, Illinois
Pastor, St. John UCC
Janice E. Spraggins, Illinois
Minister, The Congregational Church of Park Manor UCC
Rev. Dr. Tasha M. Vinson Brown, Illinois
Pastor, Galewood Community Church UCC
Rev. Jason Coulter, Illinois
Pastor, Ravenswood UCC
Rev. Wendy A. Witt, Illinois
Pastor, 1st UMC at the Chicago Temple
Rev. Kevin J. McLemore, Illinois
Pastor, Epiphany United Church of Christ
Hope Reyes, Illinois
Program Minister, Irving Park United Methodist Church
Rev. Richard Mosley Jr., Illinois
Reverend, Hemenway United Methodist Church
Rev. Barbara Peter, H.R., Illinois
Honorably Retired, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Roger Dart, Illinois
Associate Pastor for Justice and Witness, Congregational Church in Deerfield UCC
Drew Rindfleisch, Illinois
Pastor, San Lucas United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Rex E. Piercy, Illinois
Pastor, Congregational United Church of Christ
Rev. Ronnie J. Smith, Illinois
Reverend, Providence Baptist Church
Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks, Illinois
Executive Director and Ordained Minister, A Just Harvest, San Lucas UCC, Namasté UCC
Rev. Mark Agnini, Illinois
Reverend, Libertarian Party of Illinois
Pastor David W. Watkins III, Illinois
Senior Pastor, Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Jeffrey Mullins, Illinois
Pastor and Pastor of Operations
Rev. Laura Bradford Walker, Illinois
Pastoral Counselor, Evergreen Park Ministry
Rev. Avena Ward, Illinois
Associate Pastor, St. Pauls UCC
Rev. John Modschiedler, Illinois
Rev. Dr., Retired, Member, University Church, Chicago, IL
Rev. Daniel Dale, Illinois
Reverend, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ
Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, Illinois
Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Wayne T. Bradley, M.M., Illinois
Pastor Emeritus, Good Shepherd Parish
Rev. Laura Sumner Truax, Illinois
Senior Pastor, LaSalle Street Church
Alli Baker, Illinois
Co-Pastor, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ
Rev. Erik Christensen, Illinois
Pastor, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square
Rev. Franklin I. Gamwell, Illinois
Rev. Stuart Barnes Jamieson, Illinois
Rev. Dr. Stanley L. Davis, Jr., Illinois
Semi-Retired United Church of Christ Clergyperson
Rev. Edward E. Goode, Illinois
Rev. H. Scott Matheney, Illinois
Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life, Elmhurst College
Rev. Alan Taylor, Illinois
Senior Minister, Unity Temple
Rev. Brenda Barnes Jamieson, Illinois
Rev. Phyllis Kersten, Illinois
Interim Assistant Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest
Rev. Kathryn Ray, Illinois
Program Coordinator, Clergy for a New Drug Policy
Rev. Patricia Campbell, Illinois
Chaplain, Hospice
Rev. Steven Shoemaker, Ph.D., Illinois
Campus Pastor Emeritus, Presbyterian Church, USA
Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, Illinois
President, Meadville Lombard Theological School (Unitarian Universalist)
Rev. Scott Wilbur, Illinois
Rev. Jonathan A Knight, Illinois
Associate Conference Minister, Illinois Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Emily Gage, Illinois
Minister of Faith Development, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oak Park
Rev. Dr. Larry L. Greenfield, Illinois and New York
Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago
Windsor S. Smyser, Bard OBOD, Illinois
Bard, Order of Bards, Ovaites, & Druids
David J. Wood, Illinois
Reverend, Glencoe Union Church
Reverend Tom Capo, Illinois
Minister, DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva, Illinois
Herman Schaalman Chair in Jewish Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Rev. Emily Heitzman, Illinois
Pastor with Youth and Households, Unity, Ebenezer, and Emmanuel Lutheran Churches
Rev. Sally Iberg, Illinois
Senior Pastor, Pilgrim Congregational Church
Rev. Allie Lundblad, Illinois
Chaplain
Rev. Teresa Smallwood, Illinois
Program Director, Israel Baptist Church
Rev. Saeed Richardson, Illinois
Pastoral Associate, St. Sabina Faith Community
Rev. Curtiss DeYoung, Illinois
Executive Director, Community Renewal Society
Rev. Rebecca Anderson, Illinois
Pastor, Glencoe Union Church
Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins, Illinois
Institute for Empowering Communication
Rev. Sheryl Palmer, Illinois
Lead Pastor, Faith United Methodist Church
Rev. Denise Van Vliet, Illinois
Non-Clergy
Dr. Mary Nelson, Illinois
Executive Consultant, Parliament of the World’s Religions
Rachel Foran, Illinois
Project Coordinator, Clergy for a New Drug Policy
Nancy Brandt, Illinois
Lay Leader, St. Pauls UCC – Chicago
Gaylon Alcaraz, Illinois
Bernard S. Dyme, Illinois
President & CEO, Perspectives Ltd.
Sokoni Karanja, Illinois
Founder and Senior Advisor, Centers for New Horizons, Inc
Margaret O’Dell, Illinois
Georgia Smith, Illinois
Senior, Church Member, St Paul’s UCC
Thomaas Kenemore, Ph.D., Illinois
Associate Professor, Chicago State University, Master of Social Work Program
Bernard Lacour, Illinois
Jane Ramsey, Illinois
President, Just Ventures LLC
Betty C. Jacobs, Illinois
Retired Attorney
Garnet Fay, Illinois
Presiding Clerk, Chicago Friends Meeting (Quakers)
Elizabeth Bradner, Illinois
Julie Caise, Illinois
Todd Belcore, Illinois
Daniel Romero, Illinois
Chaplain Intern
Tiffany Williams, Illinois
John Held, Illinois
Katie Dohr, Illinois
Dan Foran, Illinois
Kimetha Dunn, Illinois
Susan Foran, Illinois
Elder, Grace Lutheran Church
Brady Harden, Illinois
Housing, Disability Advocate
D. Bannister, Illinois
Bobby Roberson, Illinois
Facility Manager
Marilynn Moisio, Illinois
Kim Whisler-Vasko, Illinois
Coordinator, United Church of Christ
Gregg Schroeder, Illinois
David J. McLaren, Illinois
Accountant, The Center for Sane Sustainable Situations
Darryl Grant, Illinois
Gary Cozette, Illinois
Program Director, Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America
Robert Taylor, Illinois
CPA–Financial Advisor
Kathy M. Bridges, Illinois
Owner of K M Medical Billing and Fiction Author, K M Medical Billing, Inc.
James E. Gierach, Illinois
Executive Board Vice Chairman, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)
Jan Feldman, Illinois
Beth Fischer, Illinois
Rich Pokorny, Illinois
Ellen Wehrle, Illinois
June Witzl, Illinois
Cristy Harris, Illinois
Ray Robinson, Illinois
Harriet Roberts, Illinois
Ed Hiestand, Illinois
Hildegard Schmidt, Illinois
Ron Orzel, Illinois
Judy Baietto-Grace, Illinois
Janet Holden, Illinois
Dottie Herzel, Illinois
Rose M. Lubarski, Illinois
Jim Babcock, Illinois
Dr. Barbara F. Sherman, Illinois
Michael Johnson, Illinois
Amber Mack, Illinois
Maggie Kivisto, Illinois
Kenneth Koresch, Illinois
Nathan Mooney, Illinois
Mile Ells, Illinois
Jill Wallace, Illinois
Ruthann Fowler, Illinois
Stephanie Downs Hughes, Illinois
Dave Teliff, Illinois
Nora Zaki, Illinois
University of Chicago Divinity School
Jesse Pruitt, Illinois
University of Chicago Divinity School
Lucas Tse, Illinois
University of Chicago Divinity School
Edonna Larkens, Illinois
Director, Career Development/Financial Mathematics Program, University of Chicago
Mike Weeda, Illinois
Americia Huckabee, Illinois
University of Chicago Divinity School
Joanne Michalski, Illinois
First Unitarian Church of Chicago
Dr. Caroline Herzenberg, Illinois
Retired, Argonne National Laboratory
Keith Stuckey, Illinois
John G. Wolf, Illinois
Michael Conforti, Illinois
Irene Krull Vitullo, Illinois
Board Member, Friends of Whittier
William Bell, Illinois
Cody Suba, Illinois
Dr. Steve Balkin, Illinois
Professor Emeritus, Roosevelt University
Austin Goodman, Illinois
Shannon C. Dickens, Illinois
Cloud 9 Cafe, Lounge & Emporium LLC
Indiana
Clergy
Rev. Dr. Brice H. Balmer, Indiana
Assistant Professor of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
Non-Clergy
Michael Nicholas Dovellos, Indiana
Northwest Indiana NORML
Cathy Cross, Indiana
Jennifer Barth, Indiana
Iowa
Non-Clergy
Joshua O’Reilly, Iowa
Lynda Sutherland, Iowa
Ministerial Candidate, Unitarian Universalist Association
Terry Lowman, Iowa
Lead Organizer, Iowa UU Writers Advocacy Network
Calvin F. Gatch, Jr., Iowa
Farmer, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Dubuque, Iowa
Kansas
Clergy
Rev. David Carter, Kansas
Reverend, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita
Non-Clergy
Russ Pataky, Kansas
David H Wilkinson, Kansas
Team Saint Mark Prison Ministry Group
Kentucky
Clergy
Pastor Mark Gamble, Kentucky
Pastor, First Cannabis Church of Kentucky
Non-Clergy
Abigail Gramig Trowbridge, Kentucky
Joshua Conder, Kentucky
Michael S. Miller, Kentucky
CEO, Bread of Life Ministries
Louisiana
Non-Clergy
James Griggs, Louisiana
Clay Politz, Lousiana
Director, Interdependent Missions
Maine
Non-Clergy
Denny Gallaudet, Maine
Retired School Superintendent
Donald Hutchins, Maine
Maryland
Clergy
Rev. Clare L. Petersberger, Maryland
Minister, The Towson Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Alexander F. Vishio, Maryland
Assistant Minister for Social Justice & Witness, Central Atlantic Conference-United Church of Christ
Rev. Michael C. Durst, Maryland
Minister, United Church of Christ
Rev. Chris Spruill, Maryland
Pastor, Incarnation UCC
The Rev. Wes Jamison, Maryland
Pastor, United Church of Christ
Rev. Beverly Lewis, Maryland
Reverend, United Church of Christ
Rev. Carolyn L Roberts, Maryland
Retired Clergy, United Church of Christ
Rev. Michael D. Snowden, Maryland
Retired, Black Educational AIDS Project, Inc.
Pastor Corey Connor, Maryland
Hieronymous House
Rev. Nelson R. Murphy, Maryland
Interim Pastor, First & St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ
Rev. Guy Molock, Maryland
Beloved Community Church UCC
Non-Clergy
Major Neill Franklin, Maryland
Executive Director, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)
Sheila Helgerson, Maryland
Executive Director, United Ministries, Inc
Isaac S. Lawson, Maryland
Minister of Visitation and Pastoral Care, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ – Washington, DC
Eric E. Sterling, Maryland
President, Criminal Justice Policy Foundation
Sheila Helgerson, Maryland
Executive Director, United Ministries, Inc.
Wendall O. Holmes, Maryland
Elder, Newborn Community of Faith Church
Massachusetts
Clergy
Rev. Lee Bluemel, Massachusetts
Pastor, North Paris Church
Rev. M. Lara Hoke, Massachusetts
Reverand, Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson, Massachusetts
Minister and Consultant, Rainbow Solutions
Rev. Eric Dupee, Massachusetts
Clergy, Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church
Non-Clergy
Kaia Stern, Massachusetts
Director, Prison Studies Project – Harvard University
MacEagon Voyce, Massachusetts
Writer
Melissa Bartholomew, Massachusetts
Amanda Napior, Massachusetts
Sarah Onoroski, Massachusetts
Accountant
Carl W. McCargo, Massachusetts
Treasurer, Unitarian Universalists for A Just Economic Community
Michigan
Non-Clergy
Marissa Tallant, Michigan
Sondra O’Donnell, Michigan
Diane Ferguson, Michigan
Brian Hewitt, Michigan
Minnesota
Clergy
Rev. Carolyn Fure-Slocum, Minnesota
Chaplain, Carleton College
Non-Clergy
Melissa Voyce, Minnesota
Teacher
Jerry Anderson, Minnesota
Elizabeth Lempp, Minnesota
Mississippi
Clergy
Rev. Seth M. Walley, Mississippi
Priest, Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
Non-Clergy
Darrell Brown, Mississippi
Stephanie Dreher, Mississippi
Mississippi Alliance for Cannabis
Becky Nations, Mississippi
Mississippi Alliance for Cannabis
Steven Barber, Mississippi
Matt South, Mississippi
William Beckwith, Mississippi
Retired University Professor
Missouri
Non-Clergy
Bill Smeathers, Missouri
Deborah Hart Yemm, Missouri
Brett Denbow, Missouri
Montana
Clergy
Rev. Patricia Callaghan, Montana
ELCA
Nebraska
Non-Clergy
David Swarts, Nebraska
Nebraska Families 4 Medical Cannabis
Nevada
Clergy
Rev. Steven Derrick, Nevada
Chaplain and Licensed Addictions Counselor, My Journey Home
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Clergy
Rev. Robin Bacon Hoffman, New Jersey
Chaplain
Rev. Chuck Rush, New Jersey
Senior Minister, Christ Church
Rev. Julie Yarborough, New Jersey
Associate Pastor, Christ Church – Summit NJ
Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea, New Jersey
Senior Minister, First Congregational Church UCC – Westfield, NJ
Brother Justin Escher Alpert, New Jersey
Caregiver, The Public Advocacy
Rev. Nathan Busker, New Jersey
Senior Pastor, Ponds Reformed Church
Non-Clergy
Carol Katz Beyer, New Jersey
Co-Founder, Vice-President, Families for Sensible Drug Policy
Paul Rubin, New Jersey
Christopher Beall, New Jersey
CB Co
New Mexico
Clergy
Rev. Elizabeth Bueschel, New Mexico
Ordained Minister, Retired
Rev. Pablo Alfredo Paiz, New Mexico
Universal Life Church
Non-Clergy
Kandice Watson, New Mexico
David Bueschel, New Mexico
Retired
New York
Clergy
Rev. Pat Bumgardner, New York
Senior Pastor, Metropolitan Community Churches
Rev. Tenrai Fred Forsythe, New York
Zen Buddhist Monk, Zen Studies Society
Rev. Allison Palm, New York
Program Assistant, Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
Joel Levenson, New York
Rabbi, Midway Jewish Center
Alex Grey, New York
Minister and Co-Founder, CoSM – Chapel of Sacred Mirrors
Rabbi Jonah Geffen, New York
Rev. Stacey Midge, New York
Associate Minister, First Reformed Church of Schenectady
Rev. Sharon Manning-Lew, New York
St. Augustine Episcopal Church
Non-Clergy
Tom Angell, New York
Rick Lee Roll, New York
Kadzi Mutizwa, New York
Jenna Lamparski, New York
Steve Clement, New York
North Carolina
Clergy
Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, North Carolina
Co-Pastor, Land of the Sky UCC
Rev. James C. Colvin, North Carolina
Pastoral Counselor
Rev. Skip Snyder, North Carolina
Board Certified Chaplain, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ
Rev. Kathryn Cartledge, North Carolina
Retired, Land of the Sky UCC. – Asheville, NJ
Rev. James Sizemore, North Carolina
Senior Pastor, Radiant Church
Non-Clergy
Rhonda E. Johnson, Jr., North Carolina
Retired UCC Clergy, Land of the Sky UCC
Jason Draper, North Carolina
Gail Williams, North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Clergy
Rev. Aaron Maurice Saari, Ohio
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs
Rev. Alan K. Mooney, Ohio
Minister, Society of Thinking Christians
Non-Clergy
Lori Brannon, Ohio
Garry Wilson, Ohio
Donna McCollum, Ohio
George Ferris, Ohio
Velva Hinkle, Ohio
Daniel Tagum, Ohio
Oklahoma
Clergy
Rev. Bobby Griffith, Oklahoma
Pastor, City Presbyterian Church – OKC
Non-Clergy
Loyd Nolen Dunaway, M.Div, Oklahoma
Ontario
Non-Clergy
Nils Johanson, Ontario
Broadcaster and addiction counselor, People Helping People
Oregon
Clergy
Rev. Kerry Grogan, Oregon
Reverend
Rev. Sue Matranga-Watson, Oregon
Community Minister, Eastrose Fellowship
Christopher Sohl, Oregon
Youth Minister, UCC
Non-Clergy
Roy Kaufmann, Oregon
Co-founder, Le’Or — Illuminating Jewish Perspectives on Drug Policy Reform
Linda Kinnaman, Oregon
Member, Assembly of God Church
David Evans, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Clergy
Naomi Christine Leapheart, Pennsylvania
Minister
Rev. Randy Bush, Pennsylvania
Pastor, East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Non-Clergy
Bruce Goldman, Pennsylvania
Sunny Ranck, Pennsylvania
Joshua Hessom, Pennsylvania
John Hargreaves, Pennsylvania
Volunteer Director, Pennsylvania Prison Society
Ruth Thomas, Pennsylvania
Outreach Community Activist, The Buds of Promise
Rhode Island
Clergy
Rev. Robert T. Brooks, Rhode Island
Episcopal Church
Rev. Gene Dyszlewski, Rhode Island
Community Minister, First Unitarian Providence
Rev. Harry Rix, Rhode Island
Pastor, American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island
Rev. James Keller, Rhode Island
Retired Presbyterian Minister
Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson, Rhode Island
Chaplain, Brown University
Rev. Jamie Washam, Rhode Island
American Baptist Minister
Non-Clergy
Timothy Waters, Rhode Island
John Schenck, Rhode Island
South Carolina
Non-Clergy
WT Clark, South Carolina
Southern Baptist
South Dakota
Tennessee
Clergy
Eugene Bolton, Tennessee
Wedding Minister, Swag Weddings
Non-Clergy
Jennifer Miller, LPC-MHSP, Tennessee
Licensed Professional Counselor
Steven Lucas, Tennessee
Vivian Kay Sloan, Tennessee
Charles Gibson, Tennessee
Texas
Clergy
Rev. Nell Newton, Texas
The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham, Texas
Annette Anderson, Texas
Minister
Rev. Adrian Perez, Texas
Non-Clergy
Tommy Rigsby, Texas
Keith A. Reagan, Texas
Michael Spell, Texas
Zecharyah Five, Texas
Deborah Bohne, Texas
Steven Murray, Texas
Darrel Rhyne, Texas
Stephen Vestal, Texas
CEO, Vestal Investments
Thomas Fullerton, Texas
Catherine K. Hinton, Texas
John Childress, Texas
SETexas NORML
Chuck Kennedy, Texas
Tony Espinosa, Texas
Janice LaFlower, Texas
Lysia Gilmore, Texas
Jason B. Bunch, Texas
Shane Jackson, Texas
Brian Statesman, Texas
Joel Maxwell, Texas
Keith Reagan, Texas
James Ketterman, Texas
Jackie Newberry, Texas
Arthur Mayer, Texas
Lindsey McCalmont, Texas
Ken Larsen, Texas
Thomas Fullerton, Texas
Bette Davis, Texas
Michael Byrum, Texas
Utah
Mary Ellen Sullivan, Utah
Vermont
Clergy
Rev. Ken White, Vermont
Pastor, College Street Congregational Church
Rev. Sally May, Vermont
Interim Minister, First Congregational Church of Burlington
Rev. Debbie Ingram, Vermont
Executive Director, Vermont Interfaith Action
Rev. Dr. M’ellen Kennedy, Vermont
Consulting Minister, Springfield Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Bert Marshall, Vermont
Centre Congregational Church UCC
Rev. Jeremy Kirk, Vermont
First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro
Rev. Abigail Stockman, Vermont
Developmental Minister, First Church in Barre-Universalist
Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, Vermont
Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Rev. Kim Kie, Vermont
Hedding United Methodist Church
Rev. Barnaby Feder, Vermont
Champaign Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
Rev. Elissa Johnk, Vermont
Senior Pastor, The Old Meeting House
Rev. Peggy Yingst, Vermont
Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church
Cantor Kate Judd, Vermont
Spiritual Leader, Brattleboro Area Jewish Community
Rev. Peter Plagge, Vermont
Waterbury Congregational Church
Non-Clergy
Roy V. Hill, II, Vermont
President, Vermont Ecumenical Council & Bible Society
Virginia
Clergy
Rev. Dr. Jerrold L. Foltz, Virginia
Pastor Emeritus, Wellspring United Church of Christ – Centreville, Virginia
Rev. Melinda Reed, Virginia
Reverend, United Church of Christ
Rev. Carlos M Verestin, Virginia
Licensed Christian Pastoral Counselor, National Christian Counselor Association (NCCA) 1994
Rev. Dr. Jim Bundy, Virginia
Retired Pastor, Member of Sojourners United Church of Christ, Charlottesville, Virginia
Rev. Carlos M. Verestin, Virginia
Non-Clergy
Barrod Jones, Virginia
Crystal Lewis, Virginia
Colleen Porter, Virginia
Washington
Clergy
Rev. Val Metropoulos, Washington
Pastor, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
Non-Clergy
Jane O’Dell, Washington
Amy Elkins, Washington
Mother
William Gardner, Washington
Lori Jackson, Washington
People for Medical Cannabis
Washington D.C.
Clergy
Rev. Dr. Kwame Abayomi, Washington D.C.
CEO, UMOJA Village, Inc.
Rabbi Jeffrey A. Kahn, Washington D.C.
Rabbi, Takoma Wellness Center
The Rev. Karen S. Byrne, M.Div., J.D., District of Columbia
Reverend, United Church of Christ
Non-Clergy
Amos Irwin, Washington D.C.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Jodie Allen, Washington D.C.
Retired Former Journalist
West Virginia
Clergy
Rev. John Wires, West Virginia
Mary Nichols, West Virginia
Ordained Minister
Wisconsin
Clergy
Rev. Jason Mack, Wisconsin
First Baptist Church
Non-Clergy
Amy Barlow Liberatore, Wisconsin
Lay Music Minister, United Church of Christ
Brenda Groehler, Wisconsin
Adam Sunde, Wisconsin
Wyoming
Non-Clergy
James D. Lofton, Wyoming
