Marijuana legalization is set to be one of the biggest ballot measure topics to watch in this election, as nine states are ready to vote on legalizing recreational or medical marijuana in less than a week. In California, a host of artists, including Pusha T, have rallied to show support for Prop 64, which could legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults aged 21 years or older.
Pusha T filmed a PSA Tuesday announcing his support for the proposition, claiming “[legalizing weed] is an important step in ending mass incarceration across the country.”
The rapper, who doubles as president of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music record label, considers marijuana arrests to be the driving force behind the antiquated War on Drugs and a top reason for recidivism, or relapse, in the nation’s justice system.
Watch Pusha T’s PSA Supporting Prop 64
Pusha T joins actress Shailene Woodley, music mogul Jay Z, rapper and actor Common, comedian Sarah Silverman, and many others in supporting the measure as part of the celebrity coalition Artists for 64.
“I’m not a California voter, but I know when good legislation passes in the biggest state, other states follow,” said Pusha T. “That’s an important step in ending mass incarceration around the country.”
The topic of mass incarceration appears to be of great importance to the rapper, who recently spoke about its rates and the rights of ex-felons with Stephen Colbert, after campaigning in Florida for Hillary Clinton with vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine.
Prop 64 would also create two new taxes, according to Ballotpedia. That revenue would be “spent on drug research, treatment, and enforcement, health and safety grants addressing marijuana, youth programs, and preventing environmental damage resulting from illegal marijuana production.”
The measure currently leads by 17 percentage points in the latest Public Policy Institute of California poll, and is expected to pass.