Crime & Safety
Is Iowa Law Enforcement Wasting Time, Money on Marijuana Arrests? (Patch Poll)
The American Civil Liberties Union recently released a report claiming there is a money-and-resource-sucking "war on marijuana" in Iowa and across the United States. What do you think?
Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union released a report claiming that law enforcement agencies both in Iowa and across the nation are wasting billions of dollars on racially biased arrests involving marijuana.
Despite findings indicating there is a large racial disparity between whites vs. minorities when it comes to marijuana-related arrests, the report – based on data from the FBI and Census Bureau – also says there is a money-and-resource-sucking "war on marijuana" in the United States.
According to the ACLU’s original analysis, marijuana arrests now account for over half of all drug arrests in the United States. Of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, 88 percent were for simple possession.
Enforcing marijuana laws costs taxpayers about $3.6 billion a year, yet enforcement has failed to diminish the use or availability of marijuana, the report states.
The report also says the effort against marijuana has not only been unsuccessful but has "needlessly funneled thousands of people into the criminal justice system.
What do you think? Is the Iowa justice system wasting time and money when it comes to marijuana arrests? Give us your take in the comments.
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