A coalition of sport stars led by Mike Tyson have penned a letter to the White House urging Donald Trump to enact cannabis reform.
The group, labelled ‘Coalition of Athletes and Entertainers Supporting President Trump’s Policy Objectives’, includes a number of stars such as NBA icon Kevin Durant.
Former NBA star Allen Iverson, Roy Jones Jr., Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown and former NFL player Ricky Williams are also part of the group who formed the letter.
There are also a number of entertainment stars – including popular online streamer Adin Ross, rapper Lil Pump and musician Wyclef – who signed the letter.
The group make three key points in the letter to President Trump – including clemency for ‘nonviolent’ offenses, ending ‘discriminatory banking practices’ and reclassifying the drug.
The statement also took aim at former President Joe Biden and his lack of action regarding marijuana-related incarcerations – despite promising to do so.
A coalition of sport stars have urged President Donald Trump to enact cannabis reform
The group is led by legendary boxer and marijuana advocate Mike Tyson (pictured)
The letter calls for clemency for ‘nonviolent’ offenses, ending ‘discriminatory banking practices’ and reclassifying the drug to Schedule III
The letter begins: ‘Today, people continue to serve lengthy federal sentences for conduct that is now legal in most states – which makes their continued incarceration not only cruel but absurd.
‘After making sweeping promises to voters in 2020, former President Biden failed to deliver on his pledge to address marijuana-related injustices.
‘Not only did he leave office without commuting the sentences of those incarcerated for marijuana, but in one of his final acts, he denied nearly every pending marijuana-related clemency application.
‘This betrayal only underscores the urgent need for bold leadership, we believe, and represents an opportunity to correct glaring disparities as part of your Administration’s ongoing push for criminal justice reform.’
Moving forward, the letter goes into further detail surrounding the desire to reclassify the drug from a Schedule I substance and change it to Schedule III.
The varying schedules impact how drugs are perceived regarding their potential for abuse vs medical application, in the eyes of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Schedule I substances are believed to have a high potential for abuse and are not regarded as accepted for medical use in the US.
Meanwhile, Schedule III substances are accepted for medical use in the US and have a low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
NBA star Kevin Durant – who recently got traded to the Houston Rockets – was part of the group
Meanwhile, former boxer Tyson previously revealed that he is a daily user of the drug
The letter read: ‘Marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I substance is scientifically outdated, economically detrimental, and at odds with modern medical understanding.
‘Rescheduling marijuana would harmonize federal law with state policies, promote innovation, encourage research, and drive economic growth.’
The final point in the letter makes reference to an initiative called ‘Operation Choke Point’ – which Trump has been opposed to – and ‘discriminatory bank practices’.
The initiative investigated banks and business which they did with firearm dealers and other companies who were said to be at risk of fraud or money laundering.
The letter suggested that marijuana companies have, similarly, been affected by the initiative.
‘State-legal cannabis operators, including many of us, have also been unjustly denied banking services despite full compliance with state law.
The letter also claimed that former President Joe Biden ‘failed to deliver’ on the matter
‘Despite operating legally in 40 states, employing over 450,000 Americans, and generating more than $35 billion annually, these businesses face unjust barriers to banking services, and their employees struggle to obtain mortgages from traditional lenders.
‘Moreover, cannabis businesses cannot take standard business deductions, leading to effective tax rates often exceeding 85 per cent.
‘While foreign cannabis companies benefit from listings on U.S. exchanges, such as NYSE and NASDAQ, American cannabis operators are unjustly excluded.
‘We fully support your commitment to ‘work with Congress to pass common-sense laws, including safe banking,’ ensuring fair economic opportunities and equal access to financial services for all American businesses.’
