Study: More Than 10,000 Arrested Annually For Possessing Marijuana in Colorado

A new report concludes more than 10,000 people are arrested each year in Colorado for possession of marijuana.

The study is based on data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to The Denver Post. The researchers from the Marijuana Arrest Research Project found there have been more than 210,000 arrests for marijuana possession in Colorado in the past 25 years. More than one-fourth of the arrests took place between 2006 and 2010.

The newspaper notes the research group creates reports for several groups, including the Drug Policy Alliance, which backs Amendment 64. The measure, to be voted on next Tuesday, would make it legal for people 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana in Colorado.

The study found young Latinos and African Americans are arrested at higher rates than whites, the article notes.