BlueMassGroup Blog: Why Is ActBlue Supporting A Regressive Cause Like Marijuana Prohibition?

This is a blog post that was originally published on BlueMassGroup on April 20, 2016.

Unnoticed in the flurry of press last week around the formation by Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo of a committee opposing the marijuana ballot initiative was the company selected for the committee’s fundraising: ActBlue.

This is distressing, as ActBlue since its 2004 inception has billed itself as a backer of progressive causes, with their website stating, ”If you’re a candidate, PAC, or c4 non-profit organization, the first requirement is that you’re a Democrat or working for progressive causes.” There is nothing progressive about the stock reefer-madness rhetoric being used by Baker and his fellow prohibitionists. Is the involvement of some Democrats like Walsh and DeLeo enough, from ActBlue’s perspective, to help the prohibitionist fundraising effort? Apparently so.

But ActBlue risks alienating other Democrats. A poll released by Western New England University last week showed that 64% of Democrats support the initiative, which would end prohibition and replace it with a system that regulates marijuana similar to how the state regulates alcohol. With only 29% in opposition, this whopping 35-point lead shows that ActBlue is out of step with a supermajority of Democratic voters.

So why is ActBlue sticking its neck out for such a regressive effort? Who knows. It will be interesting to see if any Dems call them out for it.

[Update] I’ve started a petition telling ActBlue that marijuana prohibition is not progressive. Please sign and share.