The War on Drugs Is Over—So Why Are People Still in Prison for Weed?

The Legal Weed Paradox

Cannabis is now legal for recreational use in 24 states and for medical purposes in even more. It’s a strange twist of fate that investors, corporations, and former politicians are cashing in on a plant that once led to countless arrests. Meanwhile, thousands of people—especially from Black and Latino communities—are still behind bars for nonviolent cannabis offenses.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

• In the U.S., over 40,000 individuals are still serving time for marijuana-related offenses, even with legalization sweeping across multiple states.

• The ACLU reports that Black Americans are 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession compared to white Americans, despite similar usage rates.
• Even in states that have legalized cannabis, there’s a glaring lack of widespread expungement policies, leaving many with permanent criminal records that hinder their chances at a fresh start.

Who Benefits from Legalization?

With legalization has come the rise of corporate cannabis, where big companies dominate the market while those with past convictions are sidelined. In states like Illinois, where marijuana is legal, tiny fraction of dispensary owners are minorities backgrounds—the very communities that suffered the most from prohibition.

At the same time, wealthy investors are stepping into the industry without facing any repercussions, while individuals who were once arrested for selling small amounts of cannabis are shut out from the opportunities that have emerged.

Expungement: A Step in the Right Direction

Some states are making strides toward justice:

• New York and California have rolled out automatic expungement for past cannabis-related offenses.

• Oregon and Illinois have set up systems for clearing records, although the process can be slow and filled with red tape.
• President Biden’s federal pardon for simple possession charges was a nice gesture, but it didn’t help those still serving time at the state level.

While these initiatives are a step in the right direction, they still fall short. Many individuals remain incarcerated, and others continue to face obstacles in securing employment, housing, and financial aid due to their past convictions.

The Call for True Justice

If the War on Drugs is really behind us, then it’s time to stop criminalizing those who were caught up in past cannabis offenses. Advocates are calling for nationwide programs to expunge records and release individuals still locked up. Even more crucial, we need to implement economic reparations—like giving priority licensing to communities that have been disproportionately affected—to create a fair playing field in the cannabis industry.

What Can Be Done?

• Support organizations such as the Last Prisoner Project and NORML, which are dedicated to fighting for cannabis justice.

• Push for state-level expungement programs and automatic record clearing.

• Urge lawmakers to ensure equity in the cannabis industry, creating opportunities for those who have been harmed by prohibition.

Final Thought

We can’t celebrate the achievements of the legal cannabis industry while turning a blind eye to those who suffered during prohibition. True justice means recognizing the damage done and actively working to make things right. The War on Drugs might be labeled as “over,” but until every cannabis prisoner is released, our fight is far from over.

Get Glass Distribution is committed to supporting cannabis justice and providing high-quality smoking accessories for retailers. Learn more about our wholesale products at https://www.getglass.us/