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Cannabis decriminalization and racial disparity in arrests for cannabis possession

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  • Gunadi, Christian
  • Shi, Yuyan

Abstract

Minorities often bear the brunt of unequal enforcement of drug laws. In the U.S., Blacks have been disproportionately more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than Whites despite a similar rate of cannabis use. Decriminalizing cannabis has been argued as a way to reduce racial disparity in cannabis possession arrests. To date, however, the empirical evidence to support this argument is almost non-existent.

Suggested Citation

  • Gunadi, Christian & Shi, Yuyan, 2022. "Cannabis decriminalization and racial disparity in arrests for cannabis possession," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:293:y:2022:i:c:s0277953621010042
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosalie Liccardo Pacula & Jamie F. Chriqui & Joanna King, 2003. "Marijuana Decriminalization: What does it mean in the United States?," NBER Working Papers 9690, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Goodman-Bacon, Andrew, 2021. "Difference-in-differences with variation in treatment timing," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 254-277.
    3. Jonathan Meer & Jeremy West, 2016. "Effects of the Minimum Wage on Employment Dynamics," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 51(2), pages 500-522.
    4. Marianne Bertrand & Esther Duflo & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2004. "How Much Should We Trust Differences-In-Differences Estimates?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 119(1), pages 249-275.
    5. Reinarman, C. & Cohen, P.D.A. & Kaal, H.L., 2004. "The Limited Relevance of Drug Policy: Cannabis in Amsterdam and in San Francisco," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(5), pages 836-842.
    6. Justin Wolfers, 2006. "Did Unilateral Divorce Laws Raise Divorce Rates? A Reconciliation and New Results," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(5), pages 1802-1820, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jenny Williams & Rosalie Liccardo Pacula & Rosanna Smart, 2025. "Racial and ethnic differences in quitting when marijuana retail markets are legal: evidence from California," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 69(5), pages 2755-2781, November.

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