Which Indiana counties have the highest marijuana arrest rates?

DALY CITY, CA – APRIL 18: Leaves of a mature marijuana plant are seenin a display at The International Cannabis and Hemp Expo April 18, 2010 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The two day Cannabis and Hemp Expo features speakers, retailers selling medical marijuana smoking paraphernalia and a special tent available for medical marijuana card holders to smoke their medicine. Voters in California will consider a measure on the November general election ballot that could make the State the first in the nation to legalize the growing of a limited amount of marijuana for private use. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

by: Seth Austin

Posted: Apr 20, 2023 / 12:27 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 20, 2023 / 01:02 PM CDT

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Indiana lawmakers struck down a bill earlier this month to legalize marijuana. In February, House Bill 1297 was introduced to decriminalize two ounces or less of marijuana, however the bill was not voted on during the session. Although the topic is no longer being discussed by lawmakers, we decided to look at the number of marijuana arrests in southwestern Indiana.

Using data from the Indiana State Police, we looked at the number of arrests in 2021 per 10,000 residents in our viewing area. According to the data, only three counties were at or below the the statewide rate of 19 arrests per 10,000 residents. Pike County had the highest rate that year at 56 per 10,000 and Perry County had the lowest at 6 arrests per 10,000 residents.

You can view the results of the data on the interactive map below.

Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.