In case you didn’t know, today is 420. 420 is a holiday celebrated by cannabis users on April 20th that honors the plant. While some may demonize the product, cannabis can actually have several benefits for many people. Marijuana (weed, pot, etc)—the part of the plant that contains the ability to get people high—has an interesting history in the U.S., to say the least, but now it is finally beginning to become destigmatized and decriminalized. Unfortunately, this has not been followed with the release of cannabis or weed prisoners. In honor of 420, let's discuss why weed prisoners should be free and why weed users—such as myself—should be their biggest advocates. 

In the U.S., there are plenty of people arrested for weed crimes. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), “Marijuana arrests made up 43% of all drug arrests in 2018, more than any other drug category.” Despite being legalized for recreational use or decriminalized in eight states at the time, the arrests were higher than three years prior. Arrests did decrease in states with legalized use or decriminalization—but the issue is that they occur at all. Sadly, most of these arrests are solely for possession. This is often used as a tactic to target Black people and other people of color. An Extreme racial disparity exists in the race of the people arrested for marijuana possession. Data shows that Black people are over three and a half times more likely than white people to be arrested for possession—and neither legalization nor decriminalization has done much to combat the problem. 

To make matters worse, while some people are suffering in the deplorable conditions of prison for being in possession of a plant, others are profiting.  FBI records show that in 2020, more than 300,000 people experienced weed arrests. Meanwhile, the legal cannabis industry was the fastest growing industry in the U.S., and in 2022, the U.S. cannabis market was valued at $13.2 billion. Yet, those making waves and profiting in the industry are not those who have been criminalized. Reportedly, 81% of cannabis business owners were white. It is an issue when Black people—who have been largely targeted by law enforcement due to the war on drugs—are not profiting now that the U.S. has capitalized from the product. 

One of the biggest issues surrounding the legalization and decriminalization of weed is the refusal to release prisoners for crimes that are no longer illegal. In a half-assed attempt to reverse this failure, U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of marijuana possession. This pardon only affected about 6,500 people convicted of cannabis possession and excused at the federal level. This is a meek attempt considering the thousands arrested for marijuana possession yearly. When the pardon was first announced, one ex-marijuana prisoner Micheal Thompson writes: 

“The president’s reform is a step in the right direction, but until we tell it like it is and say our criminal justice system is broken, we are just playing games, playing politics, and doing nothing but putting a band-aid on a bleeding wound.” 

The pardon was not enough. Legalization is not enough. People jailed on weed charges should be freed, especially in states where it has been legalized or decriminalized. Luckily, organizations like the Last Prisoner Project are dedicated to criminal justice reform. Focused on setting cannabis prisoners free, organizations like this are essential in helping cannabis prisoners get the justice they deserve. If you've ever used marijuana and you aren’t in prison, recognize your privilege and consider assisting those who are. Donating to the Last Prisoner Project, or other reform organizations is a great way to show support. So this 4/20 while you're opening your pockets to buy some weed, think of those who are unfortunately rotting in prison during the most important stoner holiday of the year. 

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Sources: 

https://www.aclu.org/report/tale-two-countries-racially-targeted-arrests-era-marijuana-reform

https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/317793-people-were-arrested-marijuana-possession-2020-despite-growing-legalization#:~:text=Drug%20Policy%20%7C%20Commentary-,317%2C793%20people%20were%20arrested%20for%20marijuana%20possession,despite%20the%20growing%20legalization%20movement 

https://www.embroker.com/blog/cannabis-industry-statistics/ 

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-cannabis-market#:~:text=Report%20Overview,%2C%20and%20food%20%26%20beverage%20industries. 

https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-19-cannabis-businesses-owned-founded-racial-minorities/ 

​​https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/01/in-billion-dollar-cannabis-market-racial-inequity-persists-despite-legalization.html 

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-marijuana-pardons-help-thousands-leave-others-prison-2022-10-09/ 

https://time.com/6237385/biden-marijuana-pardon-prison-reform-michael-thompson/

Featured Image via Ahmed Zayan