A note of marijuana legalization and arrest rates in the United States

摘要: Marijuana legalization is a controversial topic in the United States. While Governor Andrew Guomo proposed to decriminalize possession of small amounts marijuana public view May 2012, many Americans viewed movement as “insanity.” From criminal justice administration perspective, motivation for Guomo’s measure most likely driven by high number arrests annually marijuana. In New York City alone, over 50,000 people were arrested and those cost city $75 million annually. era tight budget sector, release from would help police focus on fighting against other much severer crimes. Presently, twenty states District Columbia have passed medical laws legalizing use production qualifying patients under state law. However, remains illegal federal Patients providers are still vulnerable arrest law enforcement. Do less arrests? To answer this question, paper compare rates before after Colorado examining official data. The finding related policy implications noted.