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Yes.
Black people in Wisconsin are 4.2 times as likely to face arrest for marijuana possession than white people, according to an American Civil Liberties Union report analyzing 2010-2018 data.
In 2020, the state ranked 14th in the nation in racial disparity on this metric. The disparity varies within Wisconsin geographically: It is less drastic in Milwaukee County (3.2 times as likely) and more drastic in Manitowoc (29.9 times as likely) and Ozaukee County (34.9 times as likely).
Black people were four times as likely than white people in Wisconsin to be convicted of marijuana possession in 2019, according to a Wisconsin Watch analysis of circuit court data. Prison admissions for marijuana also were higher for Black people than for whites, Wisconsin Watch found.
Marijuana is illegal in Wisconsin, although police and prosecutors have discretion about how and whether to enforce the law, which can lead to racial disparities.
See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
Related Story
Blacks arrested for pot possession at four times the rate of whites in Wisconsin
Gov. Tony Evers’ decriminalization proposal focuses on decreasing racial disparities in arrests; experts point to policing practices as the main issue.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Milwaukee County District Attorney Dashboard 10 years of Wisconsin possession of marijuana convictions
ACLU of Wisconsin Black people four times more likely to get arrested for marijuana possession in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Watch Blacks arrested for pot possession at four times the rate of whites in Wisconsin
