According to the latest numbers available from our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Criminal Uniform Crime Reports, Minneapolis arrests roughly 1,500 people each year for marijuana offenses aloneand a big majority for simple possession. That's about four people every day in Minneapolis who get arrested for a substance that is far less harmful than alcohol and many over-the-counter drugs. As if this isn't enough, Minneapolis leads the nation in the greatest disparities in black and white marijuana possession arrest rates.

According to the latest numbers available from our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Criminal Uniform Crime Reports, Minneapolis arrests roughly 1,500 people each year for marijuana offenses alone—and a big majority for simple possession. That's about four people every day in Minneapolis who get arrested for a substance that is far less harmful than alcohol and many over-the-counter drugs. As if this isn't enough, Minneapolis leads the nation in the greatest disparities in black and white marijuana possession arrest rates.

It's a simple ordinance that the council can pass that defines what a 'high-risk' loan is and then provides counseling to those who qualify, as a way to end the many foreclosures and bankruptcies that devastate already fragile communities.

Like other progressive cities, we can pass a resolution denouncing our nation's failed Drug War, and call for policy that de-penalizes drug users with a focus on treatment, and pass an ordinance that will de-criminalize the responsible personal use of marijuana by adults, direct our police to re-prioritize our enforcement, and level the playing field and ease the tension between cops and the people they serve.

I often wonder how we can pay for a stadium but not for the bus.

According to the latest numbers available from our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Criminal Uniform Crime Reports, Minneapolis arrests roughly 1,500 people each year for marijuana offenses alone—and a big majority for simple possession. That's about four people every day in Minneapolis who get arrested for a substance that is far less harmful than alcohol and many over-the-counter drugs. As if this isn't enough, Minneapolis leads the nation in the greatest disparities in black and white marijuana possession arrest rates.