Marijuana Policing Targets Youth of Color

Marijuana Policing Targets Youth of Color
Emerald Bay Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Violations of marijuana laws account for about half of all drug-related arrests in the US each year. The overwhelming majority are for possession of very small amounts for personal use. Most of those arrested are young and disproportionately nonwhite. Although few receive long sentences, they do cause social marginalization, permanent criminal records, and denial of public benefits such as financial aid for college. What’s driving these arrests? Who’s tracking this phenomenon? And what can be done about it? 

Facilitator: gabriel sayegh, State Director, New York, Drug Policy Alliance, New York, NY

• Neill Franklin, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
• Marisa Garcia, Drug Policy Reform Advocate, Santa Fe Springs, CA
• Harry Levine, Marijuana Arrest Research Project, New York, NY
• Kyung Ji Rhee, Director, Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform & Alternatives, Brooklyn, NY 
• Armando Rodriguez, Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles, CA