WNYC and Colorado Public Radio Present "Ask a Legal State: A National Conversation About Pot"

(New York, NY—April 16, 2019) — On Saturday, April 20 (“4/20”), WNYC in New York and Colorado Public Radio will present “Ask a Legal State: A National Conversation About Pot,” a national three-hour call-in show about an important issue on the table in dozens of states: the legalization of cannabis.

Hosted by Peabody Award-winning WNYC host Brian Lehrer, along with Colorado Public Radio’s Murrow Award-winning Ann Marie Awad, “Ask a Legal State: A National Conversation About Pot” will bring together experts and policy makers to share perspectives from states where pot is fully legal, states where it is authorized for medical use, and states where it remains illegal. Topics will include buying, selling, and using cannabis; shifts in public opinion and political will; impacts on policing and racial and social justice; public health ramifications; and more.

Guests will include:

• Cannabis Wire co-founder Alyson Martin;
• Author Lizzie Post (Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, from Dispensaries to Dinner Parties);
• NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson;
• NYU public policy professor Mark Kleinman; and
• Public radio reporters from stations around the country.

And, importantly, listeners will have an opportunity to call in, ask questions, share perspectives, and talk to their fellow citizens across the country.

“More than 20 states have legalized medical marijuana, and at least 10 states are considering legalizing recreational weed — including New York and New Jersey in our own backyard,” said Lehrer. “As laws shift state by state, we will do what public radio does best — bring Americans together for a thoughtful, informed conversation about the issues that affect both our public life and our personal lives, connecting experts with citizens, and citizens with each other.”

"I started covering marijuana a few years back when I was an education reporter here in Colorado — because legalization tends to intersect with lots of different areas of our society,” said CPR’s Awad, who is host of the forthcoming podcast about pot legalization, On Something. “But it's played out very differently elsewhere, so I'm excited to partner with WNYC to have this national conversation about the ins and outs of legalization."   

“Ask a Legal State” will air on public radio stations across the country. Check local listings for tune-in details or listen online at wnyc.org or at cpr.org.  Listeners can join the conversation online at #WeedToKnow

ABOUT WNYC

With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and also broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most-loved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, The Takeaway and Snap Judgment. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.

ABOUT COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

Colorado Public Radio is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that produces and curates in-depth and meaningful news and music, establishing thoughtful connections to Colorado for listeners seeking to be informed, enlightened and entertained. Roughly 95 percent of CPR’s funds come from the private support of listeners, businesses and foundations. CPR News delivers in-depth, insightful and impartial news and information from around the world, across the nation and throughout Colorado, examining its relevance to our state and connecting it to our community. CPR Classical takes listeners on an in-depth exploration of thoughtfully curated music – with an emphasis on Colorado’s classical community – providing context to a broad range of meaningful and compelling works from past to present. “ACPR’s OpenAir takes listeners inside the world of new and independent music – exposing them to up-and-coming artists and highlighting Colorado’s local music scene.