The Impact of Marijuana Law Enforcement in an Economic Model of Crime

• Published in: Journal of drug issues Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 403 - 424
• Main Authors: Shepard, Edward M., Blackley, Paul R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.04.2007; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Arrests; Cannabis; Costs; Crime; Criminal justice; Criminal Justice Policy; Drug policy; Economic Models; Effectiveness; Fines & penalties; Law Enforcement; Manslaughter; Marijuana; Opportunity costs; Police; Public sector; Studies

U.S. law enforcement against the sale and possession of marijuana has been estimated to cost close to $8 billion a year in criminal justice resources. Current enforcement is justified if it provides net benefits greater than alternatives such as a legal, regulated market for marijuana. Prior researc...