Cannabis Arrests Still a Reality in the US: A Look at the Numbers
Despite the fact that cannabis is now legal in almost half of the country, thousands of people are still being arrested for simply carrying weed in other parts of the United States. According to NORML’s analysis of FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, in 2024, more than 20% of all drug arrests were for cannabis possession. This means that out of the 204,036 cannabis-related arrests last year, the majority were for personal use or simple possession, rather than trafficking.
Evolution of Cannabis Arrests: From Peak to (Partial) Decline
The peak of cannabis arrests in the US was in 2007, when over 870,000 people were arrested for cannabis-related offenses, making up 48% of all drug arrests. However, in 2018, the percentage of drug arrests for cannabis dropped to 40%, and today it hovers between 20 and 22%. While this is a significant decline, it is still a concerning number for a substance that is now legal in many states. Here is a breakdown of cannabis arrests by year:
2005: Remains near the peak of historical arrests.
2007: 870,000 marijuana arrests; 48% of total drug arrests.
2018: 40% of drug arrests were cannabis-related.
2022: 227,108 weed arrests; 92% for possession.
2023: 23% of all drug arrests were for cannabis.
2024: 204,036 total arrests; 187,792 for possession (over 22%).
Looking at the data by decade, there were 5,132,304 cannabis-related arrests between 1990 and 1999, 7,877,165 between 2000 and 2009, and 6,921,146 between 2010 and 2019. However, in the 2020-2024 five-year period, that number drops to 1,217,933 cannabis-related arrests. While this shows a clear decline, Paul Armentano, Deputy Director at NORML, points out that “hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to be arrested annually for low-level cannabis-related violations even though a majority of voters no longer believe that the responsible use of marijuana by adults should be a crime.”
The Varying Landscape of Cannabis Arrests Across States
The landscape of cannabis arrests varies widely from state to state. With more than half of the states legalizing medical cannabis and 24 states (plus Washington, D.C.) legalizing its adult use, possession arrests represent less than 3% of all drug-related arrests in these jurisdictions. However, in states where cannabis is still illegal, such as Iowa, Louisiana, and Nebraska, more than 50% of all drug arrests are cannabis-related. While the green wave of legalization has helped reduce arrests nationwide, the punitive system remains firmly in place.
The Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Despite the varying rates of cannabis arrests across states, there is still a stark disparity affecting communities of color and impoverished populations. People of color are arrested for cannabis possession at nearly four times the rate of white people, even though usage rates are similar across racial groups. This highlights the ongoing issue of systemic racism and the disproportionate impact of punitive drug policies on vulnerable communities.
