John,
700,000.
A massive number in any capacity right? That's because it is – and it's
how many cannabis-related arrests happen yearly in America. And we as Black people are
targeted at a rate of nearly 4:1 compared to white people.
For decades, marijuana laws rooted in racism have been used to criminalize Black and brown people. In all this, we gain nothing but potentially life-altering trajectories for Black families and communities.
Let's break things down with a little game of: “Did you know?”
Did you know...
- Two-thirds of all people in state prisons for drug offenses are Black and brown folks?
Did you know…
- In EVERY state that has legalized or decriminalized marijuana possession, Black people are still more likely to be arrested for possession than white people?
Did you know…
- Marijuana arrests are still widespread nationwide, making up 43 percent of all drug arrests — more than any other drug?
And did you know…
-
Black people accounted for about 38.8% of marijuana possession arrests in recent years despite representing just 13.6% of the U.S. population.
The legalization of cannabis should mean expunging records, releasing people from prison, and rebuilding the Black communities that have been negatively impacted by the criminalization of weed – not just white CEOs and executives getting rich via their cannabis companies. A big way to move forward is to ensure that, federally, the right steps are being taken so that states can follow suit.
And the thing exacerbating this? Marijuana being classified as a Schedule I drug. This has allowed for the exploitation of the laws around it – harming Black and brown folks at alarming rates. It's been this way for years. Plus, this scheduling limits necessary research and hinders the process toward legalization and potential medicinal usage.
So, we're calling on President Biden to take more drastic actions to move society forward when it comes to marijuana – sign the petition and join us in demanding that he prioritize the removal of marijuana as a Schedule I Drug.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
