A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Diego has given us some interesting insight on the effects of marijuana decriminalizaition. The study, which examined data from 37 stated between 2000 and 2019, found that decriminalization decreases arrest overall… AND is reduces racial disparities with remaining arrests.
The paper, published this month in the journal Social Science & Medicine, notes the following conclusion:
“Cannabis decriminalization was associated with substantially lower cannabis possession arrest rates among both adults and youths and among both Blacks and Whites. It reduced racial disparity between Blacks and Whites among adults but not youths. These findings suggested that cannabis decriminalization had its intended consequence of reducing arrests and may have potential to reduce racial disparity in arrests at least among adults.”
Though the analysis did not explain why racial disparities declined, it’s possible that it’s either because of individual’s marijuana possession behaviors as a result of legalization, or a change in behavior among law enforcement. As more states legalize the substance, it will likely become easier to find reasoning when researchers conduct studies like this one.
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