Medical Marijuana Use and Diversion: Prevalence and Correlates from an At-Risk Sample

• In Event: The Impact of Legislation on Crime Prevention and Public Safety

Abstract

Over the past 17 years, 20 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation that permits marijuana use for medical purposes. A number of studies have found marijuana to have some health benefits, such as promising treatment effects for epilepsy, and glaucoma. While the legislation is intended to increase marijuana’s accessibility to legally authorized patients, there is substantial concern among policymakers that these laws might result in several unintended consequences such as the diversion of medical marijuana to others for non-medical. Despite these concerns, available research is limited and has produced mixed findings. As a result, the extent to which these potential unintended consequences are rhetoric or reality remains unknown. The current study seeks to explore these issues through an examination of the prevalence of medical marijuana use and diversion of medical marijuana among a sample of recently booked adult arrestees. Findings and policy implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Lidia E. Nuno, Arizona State University

• Charles Katz, Arizona State University

• David E. Choate, Arizona State University