Marijuana Arrests (in the US) For Year 2009 Near Record High

[웃 910]

Incarceration Nation — Marijuana Arrests For Year 2009 Near Record High

Police prosecuted 858,408 persons for marijuana violations in 2009, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report, released today. The arrest total is the second highest ever reported by the FBI, and marks a 1.3 percent increase in the number of arrests reported in 2008 (847,864).

According to the report, marijuana arrests now comprise more than one-half (approximately 52 percent) of all drug arrests reported in the United States. A decade ago, marijuana arrests comprised just 44 percent of all drug arrests.

Approximately forty-six percent of all drug prosecutions nationwide are for marijuana possession.

"The numbers tell the story; the enforcement of criminal marijuana laws and the prosecution of marijuana offenders, in particular minor marijuana possession defendants, is driving the present drug war," NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. "Those who claim otherwise would be better off advocating for a long-overdue reprioritization law enforcement resources and concerns.

"It makes no sense to continue to prosecute Americans for their use of a substance that poses far fewer health risks than alcohol or tobacco. A better and more sensible solution would be to legalize and regulate cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, as is presently being proposed in California by Proposition 19."

Of those charged with marijuana violations, approximately 88 percent (758,593 Americans) were charged with possession only. The remaining 99,815 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture," a category that includes virtually all cultivation offenses.

Regionally, the percentage of marijuana arrests was highest in the Midwest (62 percent of all drug arrests) and southern regions (56 percent of all drug arrests) of the United States, and lowest in the west, where pot prosecutions comprised only 40 percent of total drug arrests.

In 2007, the FBI reported 872,721 marijuana prosecutions in the United States, the highest total on record.

Edited September 16, 2010 by Lord Infamous

[decocker 7,198]

"It makes no sense to continue to prosecute Americans for their use of a substance that poses far fewer health risks than alcohol or tobacco. A better and more sensible solution would be to legalize and regulate cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, as is presently being proposed in California by Proposition 19."

amen.

put money in SCHOOLS!!!!!!!!!!

[Jenn! 918]

How can people continue to afford marijuana with the economy so bad and all, huh?

[The_Dude 1,142]

How can people continue to afford marijuana with the economy so bad and all, huh?

When was the last time you bought any Jenn? It's not that expensive, so I've heard.

[mawilson 2,133]

How can people continue to afford marijuana with the economy so bad and all, huh?

It helps them forget about the bad economy.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

How can people continue to afford marijuana with the economy so bad and all, huh?

The same reason why alcohol sales are through the roof and movie ticket sales as well....

People use things that distract them more often when they have more to worry about.

[ValerieA 350]

According to the report, marijuana arrests now comprise more than one-half (approximately 52 percent) of all drug arrests reported in the United States. A decade ago, marijuana arrests comprised just 44 percent of all drug arrests.

Approximately forty-six percent of all drug prosecutions nationwide are for marijuana possession.

"The numbers tell the story; the enforcement of criminal marijuana laws and the prosecution of marijuana offenders, in particular minor marijuana possession defendants, is driving the present drug war," NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. "Those who claim otherwise would be better off advocating for a long-overdue reprioritization law enforcement resources and concerns.

Maybe there are less 'harder' drug users (as a % of all drug users) now, causing the change in the marijuana arrests %? It's not necessarily that enforcement efforts are focusing more on marijuana users, maybe there aren't many others left.

[Jenn! 918]

It helps them forget about the bad economy.

Word. People are so dumb.

[TBoneTX 45,849]

Sounds as though the legal system is going to pot, si man.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Sounds as though the legal system is going to pot, si man.

Reported.

Back on topic, there is no real reason why pot should not be legal while alcohol is.

[TBoneTX 45,849]

Reported.

I sincerely hope that you'll feel better later.

Back on topic, there is no real reason why pot should not be legal while alcohol is.

Please elaborate. One reason might be that marijuana is considered a "gateway" drug, leading to use of others.

[ValerieA 350]

Please elaborate. One reason might be that marijuana is considered a "gateway" drug, leading to use of others.

But could you not say that alcohol is a gateway to marijuana, then? I do not have statistics to back this up, but do you not feel that people who drink are much more likely to smoke dope than those who do not drink at all?

[TBoneTX 45,849]

But could you not say that alcohol is a gateway to marijuana, then? I do not have statistics to back this up, but do you not feel that people who drink are much more likely to smoke dope than those who do not drink at all?

I don't know the answer or any statistics on it, but I know a lot of folks who will drink responsibly yet shun illegal drugs of all kinds.

[ValerieA 350]

I don't know the answer or any statistics on it, but I know a lot of folks who will drink responsibly yet shun illegal drugs of all kinds.

Ah, I agree. But do you know any people who abstain from alcohol that indulge in illicit drugs?

[TBoneTX 45,849]

do you know any people who abstain from alcohol that indulge in illicit drugs?

I want to say that I vaguely remember one, from many years ago, but that's not enough to confirm that it's true, no man.