By Chris Goldstein, PhillyNORML


The economic meltdown in recent times is already having a profound impact around the country. Some of the hardest hit entities in the coming year will be city and municipal governments who will have to face declining tax revenue, increasing costs and unattainable credit to continue cash-flow. Every family in America will have to cut back or shift expenses in tough times. Cities and municipalities will be no different, yet there are some things that are always essential. One of the most important essentials is adequate funds for police and law enforcement. And there is one glaringly easy change we could make that would save us from having to cut back on a police force that is already heroically performing with the officers it has.

Over 7000 Philadelphians and over 825,000 Americans had something in common last year. It wasn't watching a certain TV show or downloading a song. In late September the FBI issued its annual Uniform Crime Report, which contained a staggering set of data. In 2007 there were over 827,721 Americans arrested for a marijuana violations. Over 775,000 of these arrests were for simple marijuana possession. Local data from the PA Uniform Crime Report shows that Philadelphia saw 7,388 citizens arrested for a marijuana related offense in 2007. If these numbers are striking on the surface, they cause even greater concern the deeper you look.

Nationally and locally this is an increase of just over 5% from 2006 and over 110 % in a decade. These arrests account for almost half (48%) of the arrests for any drug violation. And the fact that is particularly outrageous is that nationally more people were arrested marijuana than for more than all violent crimes combined.  This incredible volume of marijuana offenses streaming through our local law enforcement and judicial systems further slow systems that already groan from their current strain. This massive amount of arrests also speaks clearly to the fact that marijuana consumption remains our nation's worst kept and worst managed secret.

As the result of over 70 years of a failed policy that has not in any way suppressed the use, demand or availability of marijuana, this week will mark the 20 millionth (that's right 20,000,000) American arrested for being involved with marijuana for their own recreation or even medication. Yet even with the threat of this truly draconian policy and enforcement Americans cherish this hearty, non-toxic yet psychoactive plant.

No one is proud of these hundreds of thousands of annual arrests. We often read in the paper and watch on local news as law enforcement reports arrests and seizures related to marijuana. But there is no annual press conference from law enforcement concerning this massive amount of time and resources dedicated to arresting pot smokers. Philadelphians of every gender, race, creed, age, social status, income, neighborhood and political party are arrested for marijuana violations each year - but the real secret is that we are all not arrested equally. It is as clear as the numbers.

Here are the worst kept secrets about the 7, 388 Philadelphians arrested for marijuana violations in 2007:

- Of the 7,388 arrested 1,227 were juveniles: an arrest even for simple possession can have lifelong consequences for any young person
- Of the 7,388 arrested, 4,959 were arrested only for possession: over 67%, whereas 2429 were arrested for selling or growing: 32.8%
- Of the 6,160 adults arrested, 4,824 are black: nearly 90% of adults arrested for marijuana in Philadelphia in 2007 were people of color, this mirrors data from New York City and other areas, bringing up issues of civil rights

PhillyNORML advocates for a fully legal, taxed and regulated market for marijuana. Based on the FBI's latest numbers and local arrest data we can all clearly see that a fairly large portion of the population is enjoying marijuana recreationally. Otherwise it would not be so easy to arrest cannabis consumers. Law enforcement acknowledges it's ready availability. A mountain of scientific and medical research has been conducted on marijuana as well as its effects. They have shown it to be a stark contrast to alcohol, indeed almost the full antithesis. Marijuana is non-toxic; though a person can form dependence to marijuana much like dependence to caffeine, but it is non-ADDICTIVE; marijuana absolutely cannot be consumed to a level, which is in and of itself, fatal. We also know from the scientific research conducted on cannabis that there is a wealth of medical ability for it's use as well. This research is well documented on National NORML's website

Marijuana is also an important part of our cultural fabric. Cheech and Chong opened up their new US tour right here in Philadelphia. Marijuana is something that makes it's way into music, movies, books, speeches, t shirts and accoutrement with ease because so many of us identify as having a positive experience with it. On Opposing Views.com, marijuana legalization has a staggering 89% YES response.

There are examples, such as Seattle, Washington, where marijuana has been decriminalized within the city - arrests there have dropped by over 70 percent. There are dozens of municipalities and states that have adopted a wide variety of marijuana liberalization measures that have allowed precious law enforcement resources to be spent on combating violent crime rather than hauling stoned pot smokers in for a mug shot.

Decriminalization and legalization are offered as even sounder solutions in harsh economic times. Philly NORML implores our fellow Philadelphians and the City government to take a look at these proven examples around the nation and consider some of those policy options for our city. We hope that one-day marijuana will be used to contribute millions of tax dollars into the city under a regulated market and that misguided marijuana prohibition will cease to be used as an excuse for unbalanced law enforcement tactics. Let's get rid of these dirty green secrets. Philly NORML sincerely hopes that our fellow citizens and elected officials will consider a policy change to benefit the hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians who smoke marijuana for recreation and medication.