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 possessionrather than sales or distribution.”
Marijuana is decriminalized in Minnesota, and many incidents since then listed since “arrests” for possession in the state database are actually subpoenas for possession. “However, marijuana quotes can be very damaging when used as an excuse for more intrusive police behavior such as searches and interrogations.”
In 2018, Minneapolis police launched a series of raids into low-level marijuana sales in the city. The program was stopped abruptly after this Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office noticed that Forty-six of the 47 arrests involved black suspects, raising concerns about racial profiling.
“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 ratesthe ACLU written down “There were more than six million arrests between 2010 and 2018, and black people are still arrested for marijuana possession more often than white people in all states, including those that have legalized marijuana.”
Legalizing Marijuana in the State: Do Minnesotans Support It?
Additionallythe recent legalization of certain marijuana edibles in the state has likely triggered even more police scrutiny marijuana practices methods exercises.
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.”
The poll is a…
