Cannabis, Our health, And our future
By: Nia Scott-Greenwood
May 6, 2019
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, “marijuana use is roughly equal among Blacks and whites, yet Blacks are 3.73 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession” (ACLU, 2013). These racial disparities exist throughout all regions of the country causing blacks to be arrested for marijuana possession at higher rates than whites. This issue has been affecting predominantly black communities for generations and something has to be done.
88% of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, was for the possession of marijuana. Nationwide, the arrest data revealed one consistent trend: significant racial bias. Police routinely arrest millions of people just for having marijuana every year. Billions of taxpayer dollars fund these arrests, which disproportionately target Black people.
I decided to create a google form questionnaire. Students were asked if they had any personal experiences with drugs/alcohol and how does it effect out generation. What I found was that:
“63.6% of students believe that drinking and smoking has a bad impact on our generation. 9.1% said no, and 27.3% said they are not sure.”
Too many African Americans are being arrested and charged for possession of marijuana and are losing out on their lives. “When people are arrested for possessing even tiny amounts of marijuana, it can have dire collateral consequences that affect their eligibility for public housing and student financial aid, employment opportunities, child custody determinations, and immigration status.” (ACLU.org)
