A Bumper Crop of Marijuana Arrests

Jacob Sullum | October 17, 2005

According to FBI figures released today, a record number of people were arrested for marijuana offenses in the U.S. last year: 771,605, compared to the previous record of 755,186, set in 2003 (which surpassed the earlier peak of 735,500, reached in 2000). Marijuana accounted for more than two-fifths of the 1.7 million drug arrests. As usual, the vast majority of marijuana cases (89 percent) involved possession, as opposed to cultivation or trafficking.

[Thanks to the Marijuana Policy Project for the tip.]

Comments

MP|10.17.05 @ 11:29AM|#

Screw it. We should all simply report for a mandatory two days in jail/year and get it over with.

Stephanie Grace|10.17.05 @ 11:56AM|#

We're up to 586,081 this year so far...which means they haven't filled their quota just yet. AKA watch out, friends.

Source

|10.17.05 @ 11:58AM|#

Please pardon my innocence/ignorance. In Canada we hear various stories of long prison sentences given to those convicted of possession of marijuana in the US. Do the figures given in this story indicate that close to 3 million Americans have been imprisoned over the last four years, and most of them for multi-year sentences, for possession of marijuana?

|10.17.05 @ 12:44PM|#

In the U.S. we also hear stories of how great the health care system is in Canada....most everyone I've known who has gotten busted with pot paid a fine and had to attend a treament program/take piss tests for a year or two. Long prison sentences for mere possesion is rare, and usually involves multiple offenses or folks with long rap sheets. I'm sure anyone can find a few examples of long prison sentences for all sorts of BS crimes, but I've never known anyone to spend more than a day in jail for a first offense possesion charge. I'm sure this statement will promt others to share their personal horror stories of hanging out in San Quentin for decade for possesing a quarter bag though.

|10.17.05 @ 1:50PM|#

"I'm sure this statement will promt others to share their personal horror stories of hanging out in San Quentin for decade for possesing a quarter bag though."

I was caught with a pack of rolling papers in Texas and executed!

I got better...

Terry Nall|10.18.05 @ 11:57AM|#

It all depends on where you are.
In Alabama the first possession charge is a misdemeanor but the second possession charge is a felony carrying an average six year prison sentence.