New data shows more than 12,000 people were arrested for marijuana possession in Pennsylvania in 2023, with police making an average of 32 arrests per day.
The numbers highlight the need for marijuana reform as the state Legislature prepares to reconvene next week amid mounting pressure for action on legalization.
According to National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCRS) data, in 2023, 10,463 adults and 1,578 juveniles were arrested for possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis. The data was compiled by Chris Goldstein, regional organizer for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and was first reported by Marijuana Moment.
Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and top cannabis industry and market news delivered to your inbox every day, free of charge. Subscribe to our newsletter here. If you're serious about your business, you can't afford to miss it.
Unequal enforcement and local decriminalization efforts
“Pennsylvania stands out as having the most arrests of any state in the country right now,” Goldstein said, adding that it ranks ahead of neighboring states such as Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. He noted that Pennsylvania's ban is particularly harsh given that the state has already made arrests. More than 80 cities in Pennsylvania have implemented local decriminalization or reduced penalties for simple marijuana possession, but the state remains an outlier in the region.
Goldstein's data also shows that these arrests disproportionately impact Black residents, as they account for 40% of marijuana possession arrests despite making up only 12% of the state's population. It also shows that.
Related article: Pennsylvania isn't giving up on recreational marijuana: Optimism rises as lawmakers reintroduce governor-backed bill
Cannabis reform and the 2024 election
Pennsylvania faces growing calls for reform, and a push to legalize marijuana could impact the state's political landscape. Pennsylvania is a key battleground state in the national election, so the issue of marijuana reform could be a deciding factor.
Recent polls show that voters in five major constituencies overwhelmingly support marijuana legalization.
But Goldstein remains skeptical that meaningful progress will be made in the current Congress. “There are many Democrats and Republicans who have introduced well-thought-out bills over the years, but Republican leadership has blocked their progress,” he said.
Cover: IA generated image
Market news and data powered by Benzinga API
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
