Daly City examines cannabis arrest disparities among diverse communities

The Daly City Small Business Commission held a regular meeting on December 12, 2024, focusing on the impact of cannabis-related arrests on local communities. The primary purpose of the meeting was to identify and confirm the communities affected by these arrests and to discuss the barriers they face.

The discussion highlighted the demographic makeup of Daly City, where Asian residents constitute approximately 60% of the population, followed by Latino residents at over 20%, and White residents nearing 20%. The Black or African American population is notably small, at less than 3%. The meeting revealed that there were around 200 cannabis-related arrests in Daly City, peaking between 2013 and 2015, just before the legalization of adult-use cannabis in California. Since then, arrest rates have declined due to changes in enforcement and regulations.

A significant concern raised during the meeting was the disparity in arrest rates among different demographic groups. While Black residents represent only 3% of the city's population, they accounted for 17% of cannabis-related arrests, indicating a rate nearly six times higher than their demographic representation. Latino residents also faced disproportionate arrest rates, being arrested at twice the rate of their population size. In contrast, arrest rates for other demographic groups were more aligned with their population proportions.

These findings underscored the historical inequities in drug enforcement within the community, prompting the commission to conduct a thorough assessment aimed at addressing these disparities. The consultant's analysis included geospatial overlays, revealing that while arrests appeared spread across the city, there were concentrated areas of enforcement, particularly along Mission Street and in the Bayshore area.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to create meaningful opportunities for those most impacted by these historical injustices, emphasizing the need for continued assessment and action to rectify these disparities in enforcement.