Yet Another Record for Marijuana Arrests

Jacob Sullum | September 15, 2008

According to FBI figures released today, about 873,000 people were arrested on marijuana charges in the United States last year, 5 percent more than in 2006 and a new record. This is the fifth year in a row that marijuana arrests, which are up 167 percent since 1990, have increased. In 2007 marijuana arrests accounted for nearly half of the 1.8 million drug arrests; as usual, the vast majority of the pot busts, about 775,000, were for simple possession.

I analyzed the upward trend in marijuana arrests in the January issue of reason. In May I noted that New York City's crackdown on pot smokers has exceeded the national trend.

In addition to chart above, NORML has a handy table.

[Thanks to the Drug Policy Alliance for the tip.]