Punishment and Place: A Data Storytelling Project on Drug Policy in the United States

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Over the past few years, there has been a growing discussion about the intersection between people of color and the legalization of psychedelics. As society becomes more aware of the impact of systemic racism, it has become increasingly clear that the criminalization of drugs has disproportionately impacted communities of color. As such, there has been a push to legalize marijuana and explore the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

The War on Drugs began in the 1970s and continues to devastate communities of color. While drug use is relatively consistent across racial lines, people of color are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to longer prison terms for drug-related offenses than white people. This has led to the mass incarceration of people of color, tearing apart families and communities.

One drug that has been at the center of this discussion is marijuana. Despite its widespread use, marijuana has been illegal in most states for decades. However, in recent years, a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use. This has been a positive step for communities of color, as they are more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses than white people.

The FBI Crime Data Explorer platform registers that arrests by drug possession are higher among people of color. Observing 2019 data, West Virginia arrested 4.8 times more people of color. Kentucky arrested people of color 4.5 times more than whites. In states like Wyoming, Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, people of color are three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white people. And in most states that have legalized marijuana, people with criminal offenses cannot participate in the legal market.

Legalizing psychedelics can potentially reduce the number of people of color in prison, but it is not a cure-all solution. To truly address the harm caused by the War on Drugs, there needs to be a concerted effort to address the underlying systemic racism that has led to the criminalization of drugs in the first place. This includes investing in education and job training programs in communities of color and providing access to affordable healthcare and mental health services.

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Psychedelics such as psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) and MDMA (also known as ecstasy) have shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This is particularly significant for communities of color, as they are more likely to experience trauma and mental health issues due to systemic racism.

However, it is essential to note that the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is not a discovery. Indigenous communities worldwide have used psychedelics for spiritual and healing purposes for centuries. In the Western world, however, the criminalization of these substances has prevented their use in a therapeutic context.

As the conversation around psychedelics continues, it is essential to center the voices and experiences of people of color. There is a risk that predominantly white communities will co-opt these substances while the communities using them for centuries continue to face discrimination and criminalization.

To ensure that the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is accessible to all communities, it is crucial to take a culturally sensitive approach. This includes involving people of color in researching and developing psychedelic therapies and ensuring that these therapies are affordable and accessible to all. 

The story map Place and Punishment: Data Storytelling on American Drug Policy Review is an initiative organized by the People of Color Psychedelic Collective to discuss how the legalization of drugs in the United States impacts safe access to psychedelics for people of color. 

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Listen to complete interviews of DeVannon Hurbert, Dr. Rachel Knox, Evan Segura, ad Gabe Kates-Shaw.