http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/marijuana-and-punishment-debunking-pot-proponents-prison-myths This is supposed to tell the truth about whos doing time for weed.
True, only a tiny fraction of people arrested for marijuana possession get sentenced to prison. However: 1) The arrest itself will royally screw you up when you apply for jobs, colleges, financial aid, etc. It'll make your life MUCH more difficult for years and years and years. 2) Isn't 1 person being sentenced to years in prison for pot possession 1 person too many? 3) As long as marijuana is criminalized, the cops CAN charge you, take you to trial, and toss you in prison for a long time. Y'know, if they feel like it.
I disagree with this article. I am writing a research paper right now about this topic, and I have credible sources that tell me that 80-90% of marijuana related arrests are for simple possession.
This is true. 650,000 out of 750,000 in 2012 were for simple possession. http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2013/09/16/there-were-over-650000-arrests-for-marijuana-possession-last-year/