A study [HRW report] released Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy websites] found that arrests for possessing marijuana exceeded arrests for violent crimes. Law enforcement agencies made roughly 13.6 percent more arrests [HRW press release] for possession of marijuana, reportedly for personal use, than arrests for violent crimes. The report noted [NYT report] that those charged with possession tend to have a more difficult time finding work. The report found that while there is a steep decline in crime rates and arrests in most areas, arrests for drug possessions has increased by 13 percent. The report also notes that there seems to be a disparate impact on minorities who tend to be more likely to be arrested for drug possession.

In the US, the legal use and sale of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes remains a controversial issue, with a number of states contemplating various legalization initiatives. In August the Drug Enforcement Agency maintained [JURIST report] marijuana’s dangerous drug status. In April Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a bill [JURIST report] legalizing medical marijuana. In March the US Supreme Court declined to hear [JURIST report] a case brought by Nebraska and Oklahoma against Colorado, challenging its marijuana laws. In November 2014 voters in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, DC voted [JURIST report] to legalize recreational marijuana.