FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 9/26/2013

PhillyNORML – Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

CONTACT: Chris Goldstein or Mike Whiter 267 702 3731 media@phillynormal.org

Marijuana Arrests in Philadelphia 2012: Racial disparity continues  

Philadelphia – PhillyNORML is conducting our annual review of marijuana arrest statistics. Using data from the Pennsylvania Uniform CrimeReporting System the chapter’s annual arrest report has been issued for the last seven years.

There were 6,614 marijuana related arrests in Philadelphia during 2012. There were 4,272  arrests for simple cannabis possession.

Black cannabis consumers were arrested for marijuana possession in the city at five times the rate of whites. All other drug arrests are more equal in a comparison by race.

There is also a stark trend by age; 18-34 year old residents comprised about 75% of the possession arrests.

PHILADELPHIA

18F Marijuana possession: 3,709 adults and 563 juveniles for 4, 272 total arrests in year 2012

Of the adults arrested in 2012 for marijuana possession: 3,052 black, 629 white; 90% male

337 women were arrested in Philadelphia for marijuana possession in 2012; 267 black, 69 white

Comparison: 18E Drug possession Opium and Cocaine combined: 4,256 adults arrested in 2012 with 2,155 black and 2,074 white, 70% male

18B Sale/manufacture marijuana: 2,184 adults and 158 juveniles for 2,342 total arrests in 2012

Of the adults arrested for marijuana sales/manufacture in 2012: 1,670 black, 490 white; 90% male

PENNSYLVANIA STATE-WIDE

18F Marijuana possession: 17, 666 adults and 2,911 juveniles for a total of 20, 577 arrests in 2012

Of the adults arrested state-wide in PA for simple marijuana possession 85% were men and 71% were white

18B Sale/manufacture marijuana: 5,281 adults and 447 juveniles for a total of 5,728 arrests in 2012

Of the adults arrested for marijuana sales/manufacture state-wide 58% were white and 90% were men.

STATEMENT

Marijuana arrests in Philadelphia continue with a distributing trend of racial disparity. Black and white Americans consume marijuana at nearly equal rates and the city’s population is admirably diverse, yet it is residents of color who continue to be the focus of law enforcement.

Philadelphia is not alone but remains one of the most egregious in dispensing marijuana prohibition with a color bias. The ACLU issued a report earlier this year that highlighted the practice across the country.

Enforcement of marijuana possession laws tends to target young people. Data shows that 25-29 year old residents were arrested the most (705) and those 65 years and older the least (14). Overall, those age 18-34 comprised the bulk of cannabis possession arrests in Philadelphia.

The City of Brotherly Love also has the harshest prohibition policy in the Commonwealth to enforce: Mandatory custodial arrest (handcuffs and a holding cell) for any amount of marijuana.

In 2010 Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams worked with the PA Supreme Court and Association of Pennsylvania Courts to create the “Small Amount of Marijuana Program.” Saving the city almost three million dollars each year “SAM” sends most simple marijuana possession offenders (more than 80%) into two education classes and drops their charge to “disorderly person.”

However, the “SAM” program only comes into play after the person is taken away in handcuffs. Other counties in Pennsylvania treat marijuana possession as a summary offense, issuing a ticket and sending the offender on their way with a possible date in court.

Upholding this unnecessarily harsh treatment by putting more than four thousand Philadelphia residents into holding cells for small amounts of cannabis is still costing the city more than $2.5 million each year.

There are no statistical data sets or best-practices in law enforcement to justify the unique racial disparity for marijuana possession and sales/manufacturing arrests in Philadelphia.

The nearest comparable city in the database, Pittsburgh, showed racial equality to marijuana enforcement and they do not practice custodial arrest as a common policy for small amounts of cannabis.

The arrest statistics plainly indicate a pattern of targeted rather than equal enforcement, an issue that should be addressed immediately for the safety of the entire community.

The Philadelphia City Council should investigate, in public hearings, the implications and costs associated with marijuana prohibition enforcement.

The city government has the option to de-prioritize marijuana arrests as other cities have done around the country. State legislators have the option of decriminalizing cannabis for the entire Commonwealth. Both options would make cannabis possession a civil, non-criminal offense while separate efforts to fully legalize marijuana move forward.

Each year PhillyNORML brings the local arrest statistics to the attention of Philadelphia’s city government, Pennsylvania state elected officials and members of the United States Congress.

We urge our community and our elected officials to take any action feasible to immediately end criminal cannabis prohibition, stopping all of the arrests.

Detailed analysis and data sheets will be available Monday September 30, 2013. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Chris Goldstein or Mike Whiter 267 702 3731 media@phillynormal.org

Added on September 26, 2013arrested, arrests, black, jail, marijuana, PA, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philly, police, press release, prison, race, racial disparity, weed, whiteIn The News