In 2010, there were over 1.6 million drug-related arrests in the U.S. – nearly half of which were for marijuana possession alone, making marijuana a primary focus of drug-related law enforcement activities. Blacks and Latinos are arrested at much higher rates than whites in every region, even though whites, Blacks and Latinos use marijuana at similar rates. There is now growing momentum for reform, particularly in the U.S. South, but how can marijuana policy reform address the legacies of racism and social control central to the war on drugs? Panelists will discuss the current state of reform, outline proposals to incorporate racial justice into reform efforts and identify opportunities for promoting racial equity and effective drug policies.
