Federal law bans or restricts the provision of food stamps, TANF grants, and public housing for those who have served time for drug possession. All individuals with records face barriers to employment, promotion, or education, including the loss of educational grants and professional licenses. Many are denied the right to vote and serve on a jury.

These sanctions often exceed the length of the drug sentence and can be greater than the penalties given to persons convicted of murder, rape, or robbery.

One important way states can eliminate these collateral consequences is by changing drug laws. For example, an individual convicted in Illinois of possessing 2.5 ounces of marijuana currently suffers all the consequences listed above. This would change with the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana.

Clergy for a New Drug Policy is initially organizing for changes in marijuana laws in eight states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Illinois.

Questions about collateral consequences? Check out our War on Drugs FAQs or contact us!