Marijuana Arrests in 2022: An Analysis of FBI Data

According to recent FBI data, despite the fact that 23 states and D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis markets and two-thirds of the country allow legal medical marijuana, there were still nearly a quarter million arrests for marijuana-related violations in 2022. The exact number of arrests was reported to be 227,108, with a staggering 92% of those arrests being for possession only.

It is important to note that these figures are likely underestimated due to a significant percentage of law enforcement agencies failing to report their data to the FBI. In 2022, only 83% of agencies reported their data, compared to 63% in 2021. This underreporting raises questions about the true scope of marijuana violations, making it unclear whether the slight increase in reported arrests is due to changes in police tactics or improved reporting by more agencies.

Interestingly, 30% of all reported drug-related arrests in 2022 were for cannabis. This is a significant statistic considering that in 2007, marijuana arrests reached their peak at over 870,000. At that time, these arrests represented nearly half (48%) of all drug-related arrests in the U.S.

Paul Armentano, the deputy director of NORML, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that advocates for marijuana law reform, views the decline in the total number of marijuana-related arrests as a promising sign. However, he is also discouraged by the high rate of underreporting. Armentano argues that in a time when state and federal marijuana policies are being re-evaluated, it is essential for government agencies to provide more comprehensive data on the costs and extent of marijuana prohibition in America.

Looking ahead, the future of marijuana arrests and legalization seems uncertain. In November, Ohio voters will have the opportunity to decide on a marijuana legalization measure. This vote could potentially lead to Ohio becoming the next state to legalize marijuana, joining the growing number of states that have embraced cannabis legalization.

While the number of marijuana-related arrests may have slightly increased in 2022, there are indications of a shift towards more progressive attitudes towards marijuana laws. The ongoing debate and scrutiny surrounding marijuana prohibition in America continue to shape the public’s perception and understanding of cannabis.