In 2017, about 43% of drug cases where comprised of the involvement with marijuana. Alabama spends around $22 million a year to criminalize marijuana drug possession. By directing the money elsewhere, it could pay for 191 classrooms, 571 teachers, and cover 8600 children in need of medicaid.Additionally, a marijuana arrest data report illustrated that between the years of 2012-2016, 88.9% of the individuals with marijuana charges where in possession. Therefore, the decriminalization of marijuana would free individuals in prison and many others with marijuana charges on their records.