Weed arrests in Minnesota show striking disparities between population groups, here’s the data

This story was written by Joana Scopel and originally published on Benzinga.

Black Minnesotans are nearly five times more likely to be arrested on marijuana charges than whites, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

“In 2021, there were 6,055 marijuana arrests in the state,” according to the latest data from BCA. The drug accounted for just over a third of all drug arrests in Minnesota. “Nearly 90% of marijuana arrests in Minnesota are for simple possession and not for sale or distribution.”

Black Minnesotans are arrested more than four times as often as white Minnesotans, although usage rates are less than 1% higher.

Marijuana is decriminalized in Minnesota, and since then many incidents listed in the state’s database as “arrests” for possession are actually subpoenas for possession. “However, marijuana citations can be very damaging when used as a pretext for more intrusive police behavior such as searches and interrogations.”

In 2018, Minneapolis police launched a series of raids on low-level marijuana sales in the city. The program was abruptly shut down after the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office found that 46 of the 47 arrests were black suspects, raising concerns about racial profiling.

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Marijuana Laws in Minnesota

“The fact that racial disparity is so prevalent in marijuana enforcement across the country is one of the reasons I support full legalization,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement at the time.

Despite data showing that black and white residents use cannabis at similar rates, the ACLU found that “there were more than six million arrests between 2010 and 2018 and blacks are still arrested for marijuana possession at a higher rate than whites in all states, including those who have legalized marijuana.”

Marijuana Legalization In The State: Do Minnesotans Support It?

Additionally, the recent legalization of certain marijuana edibles in the state has likely prompted even more scrutiny of police marijuana practices.

A recent poll found that “61.4 percent of Minnesotans support the legalization of cannabis for adult use. 30.2 percent reject legalization, 8.4 percent are undecided.”

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Make no mistake, marijuana edibles are now legal in Minnesota

The poll is an informal, unscientific survey of issues discussed in previous legislatures that may be discussed again in 2023. It also aims to inform lawmakers where voters stand on a range of policy issues.

In addition, the poll found “this is a slight increase in support among show-goers because when the same question was asked in 2021, 58.3% said they were in favor of legalization and 34.1% were against. “

Fairness and social justice on the road to marijuana legalization

Across the country, black Americans are more likely to be arrested and prosecuted for cannabis than others. Expungement efforts aim to mitigate past damage to the legal system. More than 20 states have laws requiring records to be deleted or sealed.

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