The wave of legalization seems to be making great progress around the U.S. and elsewhere, with several states that have now sought to establish their own legal markets for cannabis. You might assume that along with spread of legalization that this has meant less people are being arrested and detained by the police over their personal choices (drug use), though unfortunately that isn't the case.
Turns out, arrests for cannabis have surged and in some states they are seeing the highest levels of arrests for cannabis in over a decade.
According to FBI data, an arrest for cannabis is being made once every 48 seconds.
In 2017, cannabis-related arrests accounted for roughly 50 percent of all drug-related arrests in the country.
Why are we seeing more arrests now that there is such a strong legalization movement that's been growing over the years?
“It’s more accessible [now]. It really is,.... And with surrounding jurisdictions starting to decriminalize a lot of it and people thinking it’s more socially acceptable … they bring it home with them to Virginia.” - Sgt. R Grella.
Other crimes are seeing a downward trend, such as theft, burglaries, rapes, and robberies, but perhaps that is because law enforcement agents are prioritizing the criminalization and reporting of drug crimes? Despite many people now seeing the immorality of harassing individuals and detaining them over their personal choice to consume whatever drug they might be interested in, officers have insisted that they aren't looking to use any personal discretion in this matter.
“I’m not sure if Virginia citizens think that because it’s becoming legal in other states that it’s OK to do it here, but here in Virginia, it’s still illegal and we still enforce it,”- chief deputy T McFaddin.
As far as what might be driving the increase in arrests, some like criminal justice prof J. Gettman, say it could be a result of increased police enforcement of cannabis and other drugs. He admits that he is concerned it could be a reaction to the growing legalization efforts nationwide. It's unfortunate to see how many officers there are still out there who have no problem with infringing violence upon peaceful people for their drug use. They want us to be well aware that they aren't above continuing to engage in a war on a plant, despite whatever the consequences to the community might be.
Various surveys have shown that people in states like Virginia for example, are eager to embrace decriminalization of some sort, but politicians have been seen to be dragging their feet on the matter.
After news broke about the increase in arrests for cannabis recently, many people took to the comment threads on various city and police pages etc, to voice their discontent with what's going on and the focus that the police continue to place on the drug war. A number of people have berated their city officials and law enforcement for their contributions to this issue. At a recent city council meeting in Alabama, one mayor responded to the criticism they've been receiving online and reaffirmed that so long as cannabis remains illegal in his jurisdiction that the police will actively seek to arrest anyone caught with it.
Pics:
Pixabay
pic 2 - VM
pic 3 - Tumblr
