Despite the decriminalization of possessing one ounce or less of marijuana in Massachusetts in 2008, inequalities in marijuana-related arrests still prevail, according to an American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts report released Thursday. The report called for Massachusetts voters to opt for Question 4, which proposes legalization of recreational marijuana, on the November election ballot.
The Commonwealth saw a 93 percent decrease in arrests for marijuana possession between 2008 and 2014, according to the report. However, the report stated, race- and age-based inequalities in arrests still remain.
The report stated that though the black population comprises 8 percent of the state’s population, they make up 24 percent of marijuana possession arrests and 41 percent of sales arrests. The chances of black people being arrested for possession are 3.3 times higher than white people’s chances, and 7.1 times higher for sales.
Meanwhile, 18- to 24-year-olds make up 63 percent of marijuana possession arrests, the report stated.
ACLU of Massachusetts Field Director Matt Allen said marijuana consumption should be taxed instead of banned.
“When someone is arrested, a criminal record is generated, and these criminal records can be barriers to housing, employment and education,” Allen said. “Our criminal justice policies are not an effective way to try to deter use, and so what we should do instead is tax and regulate marijuana so that we can reduce the black market, which will reduce access to youth.”
The report was released as an update to an earlier report by the national ACLU in 2014, which included information up to 2010, according to Allen.
“We wanted to take a look at what the latest data says about marijuana policy,” Allen said. “Our intent in publishing this report was to provide the voters with accurate information to help make the decision to support Question 4.”
Boston City Council President Michelle Wu, as quoted in the report, questioned the existing system that allows unequal privilege in marijuana law enforcement.
“What kind of a system are we building,” Wu asked, “if Harvard kids can smoke pot and continue to enjoy every privilege, but Black and brown residents go to jail, face disproportionate impacts in enforcement?”
Allen said the ACLU has received increased support from those who were included in the report after the report was published.
“We have heard from a lot of supporters, including people who were at the press conference, community leaders and people that have been impacted by this issue, that they’re very glad that we have some data that backs up what they’ve experienced on a personal level,” Allen said.
Boston residents said the state needs to deal with the inequalities noted in the report, and recognize the benefits of marijuana.
Sean Gray, 35, of Charlestown, said racial issues have been inevitable, and moderate marijuana consumption should be allowed.
“Too much of everything is not good for you, but it has a lot of benefits — I’m all for it,” he said. “They need to do a lot more than that to work on racial issues because it’s been going on forever.”
Caroline Callahan, 25, of Allston, said legalizing recreational marijuana would reap economic benefits for the state.
“I’m going to vote ‘yes’ — it’s a tax issue more than anything,” she said. “We’re going to make money off of something that we’re losing money on right now. I just think it’s worth it. It will ease tensions, at least a little bit, because it doesn’t give in for something so minor, like, ‘You smell like pot,’ to escalate into something bigger.”
Lawrence Gettings, 49, of Dorchester, said he supports the legalization of recreational marijuana and is certain that marijuana-related crimes in Boston will not worsen.
“I have a more European sensibility — therefore, when I see European countries that have had it legalized for years, without nearly the crime or issues that Boston has regarding that drug and around that drug,” he said. “It’s a progressive movement in the right direction.”
