Trajectories of Marijuana Use From Adolescence Through Emerging Adulthood as Predictors of Criminal Behavior Among Black and White Young Adult Men

• In Event: Developmental Perspectives on Marijuana Use and Crime

Abstract

While studies are equivocal about the acute effects of marijuana use on criminal offending, developmental studies generally indicate a significant association. Few studies, however, have examined these associations over long periods of time. Furthermore, although there are race differences in both behaviors, most studies have failed to control for race. This study examined trajectories of marijuana use from adolescence (age 13) through emerging adulthood (age 25) and whether there were trajectory group differences in criminal offending between ages 26 and 35. Data came from 476 Black and White men who were interviewed annually from ages 13 through 25 and again at age 35 with criminal records searched over time. Four marijuana trajectory groups were identified: non/light users, adolescent-limited users, late-onset users, and chronic users. Controlling for race, adult-onset and chronic users had significantly more official arrests, overall charges, and drug dealing and possession charges than nonusers. In contrast, groups did not differ in terms of official violence and theft charges or self-reported offending during young adulthood except for self-reported drug dealing. Overall, the results indicate that once race is controlled, marijuana use trajectories are related to drug offenses but not necessarily other types of offending.

Authors

• Helene R. White, Rutgers University

• Dustin Pardini, University of Pittsburgh