( CNN ) -- Legalizing marijuana is a civil rights issue , according to one of California 's most prominent African-American advocacy groups . The California State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , led by President Alice Huffman , recently announced its `` unconditional endorsement '' for Proposition 19 , a legislative initiative on the November ballot that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in California . Huffman said African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the criminalization of marijuana which makes passing the law a civil rights issue . `` We have empirical proof that the application of the marijuana laws has been unfairly applied to our young people of color , '' Huffman said in an official statement . `` Justice is the quality of being just and fair and these laws have been neither just nor fair . '' Police departments in California have made more than 60,000 marijuana possession arrests in 2008 , three times more than in 1990 , according to a recent study released by the Drug Policy Alliancean organization that says it promotes policies to end the war on drugs . Although blacks and Latinos make up less than 44 percent of the state 's population , together both ethnic groups constitute up to 56 percent of arrests that are made for marijuana possession in California , according to the study . Furthermore , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found that African-Americans use marijuana at lower rates than white Americans across the country . The study said arrests in California are `` racially-biased '' and have led to a `` system-wide phenomenon , occurring in every county and nearly every police department in California , and elsewhere . '' Hilary O. Shelton , vice president of advocacy for the NAACP , said these numbers make it a civil rights issue . `` We are usually conservative in terms of the issues that we support , but disproportionate prosecution of [ African-Americans for ] drug-related offenses for marijuana has called us to fight for decriminalization in our community . '' `` If the law on drug possession was being enforced correctly , then the number of arrests and prosecutions and prison sentences would be proportionate to our society across the board , '' Shelton said . `` Sadly , that 's not the picture . '' But some African-Americans do n't think the solution to the problem is to legalize marijuana . Bishop Ron Allen , an outspoken leader of the International Faith-Based Coalition and member of the NAACP , is outraged by the endorsement . He , along with 24 other faith- and activist-based organizations held a press conference in California Wednesday , calling for the resignation of Alice Huffman , claiming the California NAACP 's endorsement of marijuana legislation is selling out the African-American community . `` If you think you are a civil rights leader , you should know better than anyone not to open the door to laws that will poison our community , '' Allen said . But Huffman 's endorsement has been backed by other organizations that support civil rights , including LEAP , the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition . However , Allen believes that by supporting this initiative , Huffman is giving the NAACP `` a black eye . '' `` We agree that the disproportionate arrests should change , but legalizing marijuana is not the way , '' Allen said . `` What it will create is for more incarceration , more drug babies , and more crime on the street . This is not a civil rights issue . '' Allen , a former drug addict , said marijuana is a gateway drug that causes violence in poor communities and impedes the education of African-American youth . The California NAACP `` does not speak for the majority of the African-American community in this country , '' Allen said . `` What we need to do is support initiatives that help the black male progress in education and job placement . '' `` How do you educate a mind that is intoxicated ? '' In addition , Allen said , revenue raised from legalizing and taxing marijuana sales would not end up serving is community . `` To raise the $ 100 billion that would be needed to fund education in this state , the use of marijuana would have to increase by 20 to 40 percent , '' he said . `` This is a smokescreen and it 's blood money . '' But Shelton said Huffman 's stand against criminalization supports NAACP founding principles . `` What the California state conference is trying to do is simply what is rooted in our mission : to eliminate racial prejudice wherever it may be , '' Shelton said . `` If members of our own community are able to see this as not just a drug issue , but a civil rights issue , I think individuals across the nation will reconsider their views on the marijuana legislation . '' The decision on Proposition 19 will be made in California in November .
California NAACP supports state legislation for legalizing marijuana . Drug Policy Alliance : African-American arrested more for California in marijuana . Opponents say NAACP should not support drug use in African-Americans community .