Re Column, “The next debate,” Free Press Jan. 9-11 edition:

Columnist Julianne Malveaux says that to win the presidency, Democrats need to bring new voters to the polls.

I’ve talked to people who don’t vote. When I asked if they would vote to legalize marijuana, they said “yes” with no hesitation.

Petty drug possession convictions affect people of all groups, but fall especially hard on black folks, making them felons and condemning them to a sort of second class citizenship when it comes to housing, jobs and even the act of voting itself.

At least one presidential candidate wants to legalize marijuana and expunge past marijuana convictions — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. This fact hasn’t received the press attention it deserves. I think it’s an issue that would bring new voters to the polls.

RICHARD BASTOW

Richmond