The impact of marijuana decriminalization: an update

The available evidence indicates that the "decriminalization" of marijuana possession had little or no impact on rates of use. Although rates of marijuana use increased in those U.S. states which reduced maximum penalties for possession to a fine, the prevalence of use increased at similar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of public health policy Vol. 10; no. 4; p. 456
Main Author Single, E W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 1989
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Attitude to Health
Crime - legislation & jurisprudence
Drug and Narcotic Control - legislation & jurisprudence
Humans
Marijuana Smoking - economics
Marijuana Smoking - legislation & jurisprudence
Marijuana Smoking - psychology
United States
United States
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Summary:The available evidence indicates that the "decriminalization" of marijuana possession had little or no impact on rates of use. Although rates of marijuana use increased in those U.S. states which reduced maximum penalties for possession to a fine, the prevalence of use increased at similar or higher rates in those states which retained more severe penalties. There were also no discernable impacts on the health care systems. On the other hand, the so-called "decriminalization" measures did result in substantial savings in the criminal justice system.
ISSN:0197-5897
DOI:10.2307/3342518