D.C. Marijuana Possession Arrests Drop by 99% in 2015

Washington D.C. just celebrated its first anniversary of legalized recreational marijuana. Last November, D.C. implemented laws that legalized marijuana use, possession and cultivation within a person’s home, but not the retailing of marijuana.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s recently released data reveal marijuana possession arrests drastically reduced, by 99.2%, in 2015. Here is a look at marijuana possession arrests in previous years:

2011: 2346

2012: 1553

2013: 1215

2014: 895

2015: 7

“I’m not policing the city as a mom, I’m policing it as the police chief — and 70% of the public supported [legalization],” said Police Chief Cathy Lanier.