Matthew's Message about Drug Policy and Financial Aid

"Picture this if you will: The summer after high school graduation you and some friends get caught smoking a marijuana cigarette at some deserted farm by the sheriff. Because of the higher education act, if you're parents can't afford to send you to college, you're not going to be able to go. The Higher Education Act bans citizens with a drug conviction from receiving student financial aid.

Conversely, if, while driving, you kill a person under the intoxication of alcohol, after you've served your time you are as eligible for financial aid as the eighteen year old honor student graduating high school.

See something wrong with this picture?

In our society, once you've paid your debt to society, you're free to live your life as anyone else can. However, with the crime of drug possession, the punishment continues long after the debt
is paid to society.

It's not right. It's hypocritical. What if every politician that ever smoked marijuana when they were a teenager had gotten caught and not been afforded the opportunity to attend college. Where would they be now? Not all of them were the children of wealthy families. Welcome to the factory, son.

Tens of thousands of determined young people are waiting to get back into school. Please help them achieve success by co-sponsoring the RISE Act today.

Thanks for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as soon as you have a chance to share them."

--Matthew McKinney

Tell the Senate to help people like Matthew: http://capwiz.com/mobilize/issues/alert/?alertid=9291121&type=CO