Fascinating racial justice debate on California pot legalization proposition

This AP article, which is headlined "Calif NAACP to back pot legalization initiative," provides an interesting example of how California's November ballot proposition that would decriminalize marijuana is already dividing some usual bedfellows:

The NAACP's California chapter pledged its support on Tuesday for a marijuana legalization ballot measure, saying current laws are unfairly used to target minorities. The group highlighted findings it says show the arrest rate among blacks for low-level marijuana crimes far exceed those of whites in the state's largest counties....

The NAACP's announcement outraged a Sacramento preacher who is leading opposition to the measure. International Faith-Based Coalition president Ron Allen said African-American leaders are distressed that one of the country's most respected civil rights organizations would disregard the harm caused by illicit drugs among blacks. "The NAACP does not represent the African-American community when it comes to legalizing marijuana," Allen said.

Drug legalization advocates hailed the endorsement as a major step forward in broadening the coalition of groups who support the reform of marijuana laws. Opponents of current drug prohibitions frequently point to the issue of race and drug arrests as evidence of a flawed national policy.

"There have not been high profile organizations or elected officials within African-American communities to say enough is enough, we have to end marijuana prohibition. This is really a first," said Stephen Gutwillig, California director of the Drug Policy Alliance.

Some related posts on pot policy and politics:

• Should and will California's voters legalize marijuana in that state this November?
• "Legalizing marijuana not really a dopey idea"
• Might Sarah Palin's sensible points about pot get Tea Party types to push for sensible drug reforms?
• Thoughtful academic thoughts on ending marijuana prohibitions
• Green tea party: will Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin or other professed liberty lovers support ending pot prohibition in California?
• Do "mama grizzlies" have a particular approach to crime and punishment issues?
• NPR's interesting coverage of "The New Marijuana"
• How can and should we assess the "success" of medical marijuana and pot prohibition reform efforts?
• This is Fox News on drugs ... lots of questions