Background: Marijuana decriminalization holds potential to reduce health inequities. However, limited attention has focused on assessing the impact of decriminalization policies across different populations. This study aims to determine the differential effect of a marijuana decriminalization policy change in Philadelphia, PA on marijuana arrests by demographic characteristics.
Methods: Using a comparative interrupted time series design, we assessed whether the onset of marijuana decriminalization in Philadelphia County was associated with reduction in arrests rates from 2009 to 2018 compared to Dauphin County. Stratified models were used to describe the differential impact of decriminalization across different demographic populations.
Results: Compared to Dauphin, the mean arrest rate for all marijuana-related crimes in Philadelphia declined by 19.9 per 100,000 residents (34.9% reduction), 17.1 per 100,000 residents (43.1% reduction) for possession, and 2.8 per 100,000 resident (15.9% reduction) for sales/manufacturing. Arrest rates also differed by demographic characteristics post-decriminalization. Notably, African Americans had a greater absolute/relative reduction in possession-based arrests than Whites. However, relative reductions for sales/manufacturing-based arrests was nearly 3 times lower for African Americans. Males had greater absolute/relative reduction for possession-based arrests, but lower relative reduction for sales/manufacturing-based arrests compared to females. There were no substantial absolute differences by age; however, youths (vs. adults) experienced higher relative reduction in arrest rates.
Conclusions: Findings suggest an absolute/relative reduction for possession-based arrests post-decriminalization; however, relative disparities in sales/manufacturing-based arrests, specifically for African Americans, increased. More consideration towards the heterogeneous effect of marijuana decriminalization are needed given the unintended harmful effects of arrest on already vulnerable populations.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108058 | DOI Listing |
Int J Mol Sci
December 2024
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
An impact of legalization and decriminalization of marijuana is the gradual increase in the use of cannabis for recreational purposes, which poses a potential threat to society and healthcare systems worldwide. However, the discovery of receptor subtypes, endogenous endocannabinoids, and enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation, as well as pharmacological characterization of receptors, has led to exploration of the use of cannabis in multiple peripheral and central pathological conditions. The role of cannabis in the modulation of crucial events involving perturbed physiological functions and disease progression, including apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, perturbed mitochondrial function, and the impaired immune system, indicates medicinal values.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAddict Behav
December 2024
TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States; Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States. Electronic address:
Objective: Cannabis use has increased in the United States as states have legalized/decriminalized recreational and/or medicinal use. The primary aim of this study was to examine daily associations between cannabis use and health (physical activity [PA]) and substance use (alcohol consumption, cigarette use) behaviors.
Method: Data from a 28-day nationwide study that prompted daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) were used to assess daily cannabis use, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), alcohol containing drinks consumed, and cigarettes smoked.
Int Rev Neurobiol
November 2024
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil. Electronic address:
J Psychoactive Drugs
October 2024
School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor Malaysia.
J Am Board Fam Med
October 2024
From the Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, SSM Health SLUCare and Saint Louis University School of Medicine (FR); Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, SSM Health SLUCare and Saint Louis University School of Medicine (SL); Saint Louis University School of Medicine (JH); Anesthesiology and Critical Care, SSM Health SLUCare and Saint Louis University School of Medicine (GP); Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, SSM Health SLUCare and Saint Louis University School of Medicine (AH).
Family physicians are fielding questions about cannabis --particularly for the use of cannabis for treatment of pain. Like about every substance ingested to treat medical conditions, cannabis has risks and benefits. But regarding evidence-based practice and practice-based recommendations for patients about cannabis use, the cart is in front of the horse.
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