Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Blacks disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession in Pinellas, Hillsborough counties [View all]
Blacks disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession in Pinellas, Hillsborough countiesTampa Bay Times, 9/27/14
Nationally, from 2001-2010, black people were 3.7 times as likely to be arrested, according to the ACLU. In Tampa Bay, the 2013 number nearly doubled.
Black people in Pinellas and Hillsborough are at least six times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as white people.
It's not because of who smokes pot and who doesn't.
Federal surveys show that 10 to 12 percent of both races use marijuana at least once a month.
What does differ is how pot marketplaces unfold in various neighborhoods and how police agencies respond.
As a result, a mood-altering substance that many Floridians think should be legal generates criminals in one sector of the community while other people largely skate free.
It's not because of who smokes pot and who doesn't.
Federal surveys show that 10 to 12 percent of both races use marijuana at least once a month.
What does differ is how pot marketplaces unfold in various neighborhoods and how police agencies respond.
As a result, a mood-altering substance that many Floridians think should be legal generates criminals in one sector of the community while other people largely skate free.
More
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read