African Americans comprised nearly one-third of all Texans arrested for marijuana possession offenses, despite comprising only 13 percent of the state’s total population.
Topic: Arrests
“Clearly the attitudes and priorities of federal prosecutors have shifted in the era of state-level marijuana legalization,” NORML’s Deputy Director said.
Majority support for legalizing marijuana exists in every state where cannabis possession remains criminalized.
Investigators concluded, “The finding largely aligns with the argument made by proponents that legalization would improve police effectiveness in addressing serious crimes.”
NORML’s Erik Altieri: “While these numbers represent a historic decline in arrests, even one person being put into handcuffs for the simple possession of marijuana is too many.”
According to the Commission, federal trafficking convictions are down more than 80 percent since 2012.
DEA agents and their partners confiscated approximately 4.54 million cannabis plants last year – a nearly 20 percent increase over 2019’s totals.
“Despite regional differences, … people of color are consistently over-represented in marijuana arrests.”