An Examination Individual, Neighborhood, and Community Characteristics in Marijuana-Related Charges Before and After Major Policy Change

• In Event: Drug Charging and Sentencing

Abstract

Within the last decade many states have decriminalized or legalized recreational marijuana use and this has led to reduction in sanction severity as well as the creation of new civil violations that may result fines. We know little about how this transition from criminalization to decriminalization, (and, for some, eventually legalization), alters the fees and fines associated with charges and citations. Furthermore, there is even less known about the impact of this transition on different SES categories and people of color. This study utilizes publicly available geographic and court data from the state of Maryland to conduct a retrospective analysis of the fees and fines associated with marijuana related offenses and citations over time. Of particular interest are the changes before and after decriminalization between and within four of the largest populated counties and the city of Baltimore. More specifically, we will examine the impact of decriminalization on different groups by exploring neighborhood-, county- and individual-level characteristics, marijuana related charges/citations, and the associated fees and fines. Results and direction for future research will be discussed.

Authors

• Erin Farley, Gallaudet University

• Geoffrey Whitebread, Gallaudet University