Drug Policy

needle exchange

Needle Legalization and Exchange

Drivers license suspension for drug possession

License Suspension for Drug Possession

SNAP benefits banned for drug convictions

SNAP Bans for Drug Convictions

marijuana

Marijuana Legalization

drug possession defelonized

Drug Decriminalization

good Samaritan law

Good Samaritan Drug Laws

crack cocaine disparity

Crack-Cocaine Disparity

supervised consumption sites

Supervised Consumption Sites

psilocybin mushrooms

Psilocybin Mushrooms

fentanyl testing strips

Fentanyl Test Strips

Drug Reform Trends of 2021

Drug-Reform-2021

Rank of Total Drug Arrests, 2020

Drug arrests continue to be the leading cause of arrest in the majority of states. 

last updated: February 2022


26 States

leading cause of arrest


16 States

 2nd leading cause of arrest

13 States + DC

3rd or 4th leading cause of arrest


3 States

5th or 6th leading cause of arrest

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program data

In 2020, South Dakota had the highest reported drug arrest rate (833 per 100,000 inhabitants), which is why the state also had the highest reported total arrest rate. However, because reporting between states varies considerably, the total number of arrests, nor the per capita arrest rate, is not always the best way to compare states. Rather, the ranking of arrests by offense should be more accurate, for comparison purposes.