How State Reforms Have Mellowed Federal Enforcement of Marijuana Prohibition

Modern state medical marijuana laws date back to 1996, when Californians approved the first statewide legalization law via ballot measure; Colorado and Washington voters passed initiatives legalizing for adult use in 2012. By summer 2021, a total of 36 states 4 U.S. territories had legalized 18 states, two District Columbia marijuana. Over this quarter century reforms, blanket federal prohibition has remained land. Indeed, though policies have long been criticized, now place unchanged last half century. But while static amidst state-level enforcement actually changed dramatically. In fact, data from Sentencing Commission (USSC) reveals quite remarkable changes patterns since certain began fully 2012. This essay seeks document examine critically decline number sentences imposed over decade. While noting that offenses are down 83% 2012 2020, will also explore how racial composition persons sentenced court evolved as caseload declined. Notably, 2012, majority were Hispanic (66%) followed by white (22%), Black (8%), other races (3%). still (62%), who doubled 18% offenders 15% with at 5%. These suggest whites benefiting relatively more fewer prosecutions. Reports Drug Enforcement Administration indicate seizures southern US border dwindled medicinal marijuana, reduced trafficking likely largely explain vastly prosecutions offenses. Nonetheless, shrinking relative size, there than one thousand people (and mostly color) fiscal year 2020 100 million dollars was committed incarceration these defendants activities not dissimilar corporate activity which various purposes. This reflect upon legal reforms mellowed (but certainly ended) enforcement.