MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - Black people are about 7.7 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as white people in Morris County, according to a recent report from the American Civil Liberties Union.

On Monday the ACLU released a nationwide study that analyzed marijuana arrests from 2010 to 2018. (See the full methodology) Morris County's ratio of 7.7 to 1 was significantly higher than New Jersey's average, where black people were 3.5 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as white people, the ACLU said.



The highest disparity was in Hunterdon County, where the ratio was 13.7 to 1 during 2018. The lowest was in Hudson County, where the ratio was 1.9 to 1. (See statewide statistics) "For decades, marijuana laws have been used to criminalize black and brown people, waste taxpayer money and fuel the mass incarceration crisis," ACLU researchers wrote.

"However, states across the country are taking strides toward reforming these outdated and harmful policies," the ACLU stated. "Eleven states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana, and 18 states have decriminalized, which means they've removed some of the criminal penalties for possession of small amounts." See related article: NJ Marijuana Arrests 'Soaring' As Legalization Debate Continues New Jersey's efforts to legalize recreational marijuana stalled last year when state lawmakers butted heads, ultimately deciding that "the votes just weren't there."

See related article: New Jersey Cancels Vote On Marijuana Legalization Residents will now decide the fate of legal cannabis in the Garden State on the ballot in November's election.