There were a number of articles today (and emails from MPP and others) that attempted to
decipher the latest FBI crime statistics for 2014. A number of the pro-pot lobbying
organizations used the occasion to complain about the number of marijuana arrests and, as
usual, they greatly exaggerated the numbers.
I have attached this information in a Word document as well as a chart that compares the
pro-pot numbers with the FBI stats. Here are two articles that illustrate the point.
U.S. marijuana arrests up despite changing views: pro-pot group
Reuters. September 28, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/28/us-usa-marijuana-arrestsidUSKCN0RS2MA20150928
The Marijuana Policy Project claims:
700,993 of the 1,569,231 drug arrests in 2014 were “pot related” (this includes
manufacturing, distribution and possession of pot)
NOTE: THE NUMBER 700,993 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 169,503 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 531,490.
The Marijuana Policy Project claims:
616,873 of the 700,993 “pot related” arrests in 2014 were for "simple possession" of pot, or
88% of the total.
NOTE: THE NUMBER 616,873 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 99,173 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 517,700.
In 2013, there were a total of 693,058 “pot related” arrests (manufacturing, distribution,
and possession). Because of this, they claim that there was an increase of 7,935 arrests in
the last year.
NOTE: THE NUMBER 693,058 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 176,634 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 516,424.
FBI: Marijuana arrests increase for first time since 2009
Washington Times. September 28, 2015
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/28/fbi-marijuana-arrests-increase-firsttime-2009/
The Moral Majority claims:
700,993 of the 1,569,231 drug arrests in 2014 were “pot related” (this includes
manufacturing, distribution and possession of pot)
NOTE: THE NUMBER 700,993 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 169,503 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 531,490.
In 2013, there were a total of 693,503 “pot related” arrests (manufacturing, distribution,
and possession). Because of this, they claim that there was an increase of 7,490 “pot
related arrests in the last year.
NOTE: THE NUMBER 693,058 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 176,634 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 516,424.
The Washington Times reporter claimed that there were 620,000 arrests in 2014 for simple
possession of pot (39.7% of the 1,561,231 drug arrests).
NOTE: THE NUMBER 620,000 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 102,300 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 517,700.
The Washington Times reporter claimed that there were 609,000 arrests in 2013 for simple
possession of pot (40,6% of the 1,501,043 of the total drug arrests.
NOTE: THE NUMBER 609,000 IS WRONG. IT IS INFLATED BY 107,445 ARRESTS.
THE CORRECT NUMBER IS 501,555.
2013 total arrests for all drugs (heroin,
cocaine, pot, synthetics and others)
2014 total arrests for all drugs (heroin,
cocaine, pot, synthetics and others)
1,501,043 FBI
1,569,231 FBI
2013 total arrests for manufacturing,
distribution, and possession of all
drugs (heroin, cocaine, pot, synthetics,
and others)
2014 total arrests for manufacturing,
distribution, and possession of all
drugs (heroin, cocaine, pot, synthetics,
and others)
265,684 FBI
265,200 FBI
2013 total arrests for possession of all
drugs (heroin, cocaine, pot, synthetics,
and others)
2014 total arrests for possession of all
drugs (heroin, cocaine, pot, synthetics,
and others)
1,235,358 FBI
1,304,030 FBI
2013 total arrests for manufacturing
and distribution of pot
2014 total arrests for manufacturing
and distribution of pot
14,869 FBI
13,790 FBI
2013 total arrests for possession of pot
2014 total arrests for possession of pot
501,555 FBI
609,000 Washington Times
517,700
616,873
616,873
620,000
2013 total arrests for “pot related”
crimes (manufacturing, distribution,
possession)
2014 total arrests for “pot related”
crimes (manufacturing, distribution,
possession)
516,424 FBI
693,058 Marijuana Policy Project
693,503 Moral Majority
531,490 FBI
700,993 Marijuana Policy Project
700,993 Moral Majority
FBI
Marijuana Policy Project
Moral Majority
Washington Times
THE FACTS ACCORDING TO THE FBI REPORT: 2013
1,501,043 total drug arrests
Manufacturing and Distribution
Of these 1,501,043 total arrests, 17.7% were manufacturing and distribution of ALL drugs.
265,684 arrests
Of these 265,684 arrests for manufacturing and distribution of all drugs, 5.6% were pot
manufacturing and distribution. 14,879 arrests
Possession
Of these 1,501,043 total arrests, 82.3% were possession of ALL drugs. 1,235,358 arrests.
Of these 1,235,358 arrests for possession of ALL drugs, 40.6% were possession of pot.
501,555 arrests
Total Arrests for Manufacturing, Distribution AND Possession of Pot
516,434 arrests
THE FACTS ACCORDING TO THE FBI REPORT: 2014
1,569,231 total drug arrests
Manufacturing and Distribution
Of these 1,569,231 total arrests, 16.9% were manufacturing and distribution of ALL drugs.
265,200 arrests
Of these 265,200 arrests for manufacturing and distribution of all drugs, only 5.2% involved
the manufacturing and distribution of pot. 13,790 arrests.
Possession
Of these 1,569,231 total arrests, 83.1% were possession of ALL drugs. 1,304,030 arrests
Of these 1,304,030 arrests for possession of ALL drugs, 39.7% were for pot possession.
517,700 arrests
Total Arrests for Manufacturing, Distribution AND Possession of Pot
531,490 arrests
NOTE: The possession numbers do not account for distribution/manufacturing
charges that were reduced to possession because of plea agreements or other
case issues such as completion of drug treatment.