Race and Politics of Marijuana Criminalization

Abstract

Marijuana use in the United States has become a contentious topic, particularly regarding racial disparities and arrests, convictions, and sentencing rates. This thesis examines racial disparities and marijuana legalization in Tennessee. The central argument guiding this study is that race and the status of African Americans are at the forefront of debates about marijuana legalization and decriminalization. This research relies on primary and secondary data including interviews, surveys from MTSU’s 2014 and 2018 Polls, research of scholarly works, and analysis of state legislation. The thesis further examines the politics of marijuana and race, particularly involving African Americans in Tennessee.