New ACLU Report Finds Racial Bias in DeKalb Marijuana Arrests

Blacks in DeKalb County are almost six times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than whites, according to a new report from the American Civil Liberties Union.

In Georgia, African Americans are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana than whites, according to "The War on Marijuana in Black and White: Billions of Dollars Wasted on Racially Biased Arrests.”

The organization, which is advocating for states to legalize marijuana, said the report “is the first-ever to examine nationwide state and county marijuana arrest data by race,” according to a statement released with the report.

While blacks in DeKalb are 5.8 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than whites, the likelihood is higher in Fulton County, at 7.5 times.

Nationwide, African Americans are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession despite comparable usage rates, according to the report.

Between 2001 and 2010, there were 8 million marijuana arrests in the United States, or one pot arrest every 37 seconds at an annual cost of $3.6 billion, according to the report.