Beyond Legalization: What Marijuana Justice

Really Means

Senior Capstone

For my senior capstone, I produced a comprehensive multimedia project that combines research, storytelling, and hands-on reporting to explore the disproportionate impacts of marijuana laws on communities of color in Virginia.

Using data from the ACLU and Justice Forward Virginia, I highlight how criminalization has affected individuals and families, and showcase the work of non-profits like Marijuana Justice in advocating for equity and repairing harm.

This project gave me the chance to follow the journey of advocacy and reform, shed light on the people most affected, and raise awareness about a critical social issue that often goes unseen.

Video Feature: Beyond the Arrests

This extended news package/mini-documentary examines the disproportionate impact of marijuana laws on Black communities in Virginia. Through interviews with organizers, advocates, an attorney, and someone directly affected, it highlights the human stories behind the statistics and the ongoing fight for justice and equity. Combining research, personal narratives, and advocacy efforts, the piece shows what marijuana justice truly means.

Trinity Polk 5/28/19 Trinity Polk 5/28/19

Beyond Legalization: What Marijuana Justice Really Means in Virginia

Caught in the system, fighting for justice.

Podcast Episode: The War on Drugs

In this episode, I explore the history of marijuana criminalization in Virginia, tracing the roots of the War on Drugs and its disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Through conversations with advocates, organizers, and those directly affected, the podcast highlights the origins of marijuana justice efforts and the ongoing fight for equity and reform.