Guide to Political Revolution, by Bernie Sanders: on Drugs


Racist & failed war on drugs targets people of color

The intersection of racism and criminal justice is not limited to police violence. An even bigger issue is the failed war on drugs, which has over the decades harmed millions through the arrest and jailing of people for nonviolent crimes. Since 1980, this "war" has disproportionately targeted people of color. Blacks and whites use drugs at roughly the same overall rates. However, blacks are arrested for drug use at far greater rates than whites, largely because of overpolicing, racial profiling, and the fact that black motorists are three times more likely than whites to be searched during a traffic stop.

Take marijuana use. Blacks smoke marijuana at a slightly higher rate than whites. However, blacks are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession.

In 2014 there were 620,000 total marijuana possession arrests. And that's a major reason why African Americans account for 37% of those arrested for drug offenses when they only comprise 14% of regular drug users.

Source: Guide to Political Revolution, by Bernie Sanders, p.159-61 Aug 29, 2017

  • The above quotations are from Guide to Political Revolution,
    by Bernie Sanders    .
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Bernie Sanders on Drugs.
2020 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  Republicans:
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(IN)
Pres.Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Bill Weld(MA) 		Democrats:
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
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Page last updated: Apr 10, 2019