When it comes to boxing, Mike Tyson’s opinion is one of the most valuable and most listened to by fans. But what about his ideology when it comes to social situations involving politics?
For the past few months, Iron Mike has been leading a national initiative in which he hopes that President Donald Trump can help him, he has even become a figurehead for the movement he has become involved in.
In a letter to the White House, Mike Tyson and many other current and former famous athletes urged the president to push for cannabis reform and finally remove marijuana from the Schedule I drug list, a listing that has classified them as “illegal” and which the law punishes those who produce, distribute or consume it. There are exceptions such as in the state of Nevada, Colorado and others where marijuana is legal in all respects.
Mike Tyson’s message to Donald Trump
The boxing legend had an experience inside prison 20 years ago where he met several prisoners who were jailed simply for having cannabis in their pockets. From this experience, the letter argues that many of the prison sentences people receive for marijuana possession “are not only cruel but absurd”.
Today, there are people still serving long federal sentences for conduct that is now legal in most states, making their continued incarceration not only cruel but absurd. After making radical promises to voters in 2020, former President Joe Biden failed to deliver on his commitment to address marijuana-related injustices. He not only left office without commuting the sentences of those incarcerated for marijuana, but in one of his last acts, denied almost all pending clemency requests related to marijuana, the letter states.
The optimism of the athletic community to take a step in favor of cannabis
Perhaps Tyson, who is a marijuana user and advocate, can succeed where numerous presidents and hundreds of congressmen have failed. NBA megastar Kevin Durant, former Heisman Trophy winner Rickey Williams, NBA legend Allen Iverson, boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. and former NFL wide receivers Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant have also signed the letter. Several artists and musicians have also expressed their support.
The same message calls for marijuana to be reclassified as a Schedule III substance, which will allow for more research, innovation and economic growth focused on it. “The current classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance is scientifically obsolete, economically harmful and contradicts modern medical knowledge. Rescheduling marijuana would harmonize federal law with state policies, promote innovation, spur research and drive economic growth.”
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