by Lowell
I read this article by Tom Jackman in the Washington Post about the new study, Racial Disparities in Marijuana Arrests in Virginia (2003-2013), and was utterly appalled at the key findings.
While the trend in much of the United States is moving toward decriminalization or legalization of marijuana, Virginia is heading in the opposite direction: With sharply rising arrest totals for the possession of pot and a disproportionate number of black people arrested in the Commonwealth, according to a new study based on state data reported to the FBI.
Although marijuana arrests dropped 6.5 percent nationwide between 2003 and 2014, possession arrests in Virginia increased by 76 percent during that period, according to research by the Drug Policy Alliance in New York. And arrests of black people in Virginia for marijuana increased by 106 percent from 2003 to 2013, accounting for 47 percent of the state’s arrests even though Virginia’s population is only 20 percent black.
Looking at the study itself, the results only get more appalling, particularly in certain Virginia jurisdictions. A few key points that jumped out at me include:
- “Increasing marijuana arrests have not resulted in a decrease in marijuana use.”
- “Police throughout Virginia have been enforcing marijuana laws in racially disparate ways that have steadily increased the arrest of black people much more so than the arrests of white people.“
- “In 2003 the arrest rate for black residents was 344 per 100,000 people, compared to 144 for whites – a ratio of 2.4 to 1. By 2012 the arrest rate for black residents had risen to 636, while the arrest rate for white residents had increased to 191 – a ratio of 3.3 to 1.“
- “During the eleven-year period from 2003 to 2013, arrests of black people in Virginia for marijuana possession increased from 4,991 to 10,293 – a 106%
increase. By comparison, arrests of white people increased by 44% during this period.” - “In 2003 black Virginians comprised 39% of marijuana possession
arrests but only 20% of the state population. In 2013 black Virginians accounted for nearly half (47%) of possession arrests but remained only 20% of the state population.” - “According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) over the extended period from 2002 to 2009, marijuana was used on an annual basis by 11.3 percent of black respondents in Virginia compared to 9.1% of white respondents. While marijuana use among black people was 24% greater than among white people, this does not explain why arrest rates in 2013 were 233% higher for black Virginians compared to white Virginians.“
- “Fifty jurisdictions accounted for 90% of Virginia’s marijuana possession arrests in 2013, and over half (54%) took place in the counties of Fairfax, Chesterfield and Prince William; and the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Roanoke and Lynchburg.”
- “The largest increases in arrests over the most recent three years (2011 to 2013) in these top fifty jurisdictions occurred in Rockbridge (188%), Bedford (166%), Franklin (140%), Manassas City (132%), Emporia City (83%), Arlington (81%), Botetourt (62%, Wythe (57%), and Norfolk City (49%).”
- “In 47 of the top 50 jurisdictions for marijuana possession arrests, the arrest rate for black people is at least twice that of white people. In 35 out of 50
jurisdictions, the arrest rate for black people is at least three times that of white people; in 18 jurisdictions, the arrest rate for black people is at least four times that of white people; and in nine jurisdictions, the arrest rate is at least five times greater for black people than white people.” - “The ratio of marijuana possession arrest rates of black residents to white residents in Virginia for 2013 was greatest in Colonial Heights City (11.9), Wythe County (10.9), Arlington County (7.8), Rockingham (7.6), Bedford (5.8), Hanover (5.6), Franklin (5.3), Norfolk City (5.1), Roanoke (5.0) and Botetourt (4.9).”
On that last question, the answer is clear: Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly. Just look at the vote earlier this year to “pass by indefinitely” Sen. Adam Ebbin’s bill to decriminalize simple marijuana possession. Voting NOT to pass the bill by indefinitely (aka, in support of the bill) were five Democrats: Senators Ebbin, Saslaw, Howell, Edwards, Puller and McEachin. Voting TO pass the bill by indefinitely (aka, kill it!) were nine Republicans: Senators Norment, Obenshain, McDougle, Stuart, Vogel, Stanley, Reeves, Garrett and Chafin.
With regard to why certain jurisdictions, including supposedly “liberal” ones like Arlington County, have such high rates of black/white disparities in terms of marijuana arrests, I’m not sure why exactly that’s the case, but it certainly would be interesting to know: 1) how many minorities are employed in the Commonwealth Attorney’s offices in the worst jurisdictions in terms of black/white marijuana arrest rate disparities; and 2) how are grand juries selected, and what is the racial composition of those grand juries, in the most racially unequal jurisdictions?
Finally, as to why we continue with this “war on drugs” lunacy, it just boggles my mind. Presumably, there must be “stakeholders” with strong economic self interest in keeping the system the way it is. There’s also the ever-present fear of being labeled “soft on crime,” even though smoking marijuana is no more a “crime” (in fact, it’s arguably MUCH less) in terms of the damage it does than alcohol. Think about it: how many people are killed every year in drunk driving accidents compared to how many people are killed every year in marijuana-related accidents? Uhhhh. As I said, this is crazy. The only question is, how do we convince Republicans to stop bottling up/killing bills like Sen. Ebbin’s in committee?
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