The Impact of Cannabis Policy Reform on Referrals to Treatment for Cannabis Use

• In Event: Implementation is Politics: Effects of Variation in State Cannabis Policy

Abstract

For the drug war’s staunchest critics, ending marijuana prohibition is a critical first step to deconstructing a policy paradigm that not only fails to achieve a drug-free America, but fails at great cost. Yet despite significant advances in decriminalization and legalization efforts, marijuana remains an integral feature of the larger war on drugs. Though fewer people are incarcerated solely for marijuana possession now than a decade ago, the justice system continues surveillance of people for marijuana use through such mechanisms as probation, diversionary programs, and mandated drug treatment. This study will examine the extent to which surveillance of juveniles and adults who use marijuana continues in legalized and decriminalized states by analyzing referral sources to treatment for cannabis use. Using data from the Treatment Episode Data Set for the years 2009-2018, we will use difference-in-difference analysis to determine whether legalization of adult cannabis use and decriminalization of possession are associated with a decline in justice system referrals to treatment for cannabis use. We expect this project to provide evidence on the following: 1) whether legalization is associated with a decline in justice system referrals to treatment for cannabis use for juveniles and for adults; 2) whether decriminalization is associated with a decline in justice system referrals to treatment for cannabis use for juveniles and for adults; 3) whether decriminalization and legalization yield different policy outcomes regarding justice system treatment referrals; and 4) whether race has a moderating effect on one’s likelihood for being referred to treatment by the justice system.

Authors

• Katharine Harris, Rice University

• Christopher Kulesza, Rice University