United States: marijuana arrests rise for the first time since 2009

The number of arrests for cannabis possession rose in 2014 for the first time in five years, despite the legalization of recreational cannabis use in three states.

The latest figures released by the FBI last week have sparked a strong reaction from groups advocating for legalization of cannabis in the United States.

Tom Angell, president of Marijuana Majority, a advocacy group supporting the legalization of cannabis, said it expects the numbers to decline in the coming years as various states legalize recreational use.

«At a time when a A majority of Americans support legalization, »It’s unbelievable that the police continue to arrest people for cannabis,« he added. »There’s no good reason why any of our tax dollars or police time should be spent punishing people for cannabis, when there are so many unsolved murders, rapes, and robberies.”.

Other supporters of legalization admitted that they had not expected a decline in arrest figures for 2014.

«It’s surprising to see the total number of arrests increase, especially the number of arrests for possession,» said Dan Riffle, director of federal policy for the Marijuana Policy Project, which supports legalization. «This is the first time since 2009 that this figure has risen.»

This increase comes as Washington State, Colorado, and the’Oregon have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, for the time being the arrival of the Alaska in 2016. Cannabis industry analysts expect 7 more states are holding referendums on legalization in 2016 regarding recreational use or the decriminalization of cannabis possession: California, Hawaii, Arizona, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maine, and Nevada.