© Alternatives to legalization Dr. Kevin Sabet
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©
Alternatives to legalization
Dr. Kevin Sabet
2©
Most important outcome of marijuana legalization is
changes in daily use and dependence
Source: Jon Caulkins based on NSDUH
As of 2014 NSDUH respondents self-reported 3.4 Billion days of MJ use.
80% of that is by people who use 20+ days in PM
If they avg 1.6 gm/day & 20% underreport, might be 20 billion hours of MJ intoxication per year at present0
2,000,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
8,000,000
10,000,000
12,000,000
14,000,000
16,000,000
1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Number of Daily & Near Daily Users from NHSDA/NSDUH
ALCOHOL
MARIJUANA
In 1992, 10X as many people used alcohol DND
as used MJ DND.
By 2013 that ratio had fallen to 2.0 to 1.
Between 1992 and 2013 the # of DND MJ users
grew by 780%.
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What do we get with current legalization
Commercialization• CO now #1 youth use rate in the country
• Rampant advertising/commercialization
• A thriving underground market – white, grey, and black.
Promotion of Special Interests• THC caps have failed (State of CO)
• Limit on # and location of stores have failed (Denver)
• Money diverted to general fund (e.g., WA)
4©
RAND Vermont report discusses 12 alternatives to
status quo
Source: RAND
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But most options presented are versions of
legalization; many others are missing
Only US model to date besides DC
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What about alternatives to the status quo that do not
involve legalizing?
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RAND report
Question: How much did Vermont spend prohibiting marijuana in FY 2014?
• In year after decriminalization, criminal cases decreased 80%
• Just 3 people incarcerated only for marijuana
• Net costs: $800,000 to $1.1 million
• For those 21+, $550,000 to $750,000
Answer: just $1 per person per year• VT is an extreme case, but major cost for country is damage to police-
community relations, not budgets
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Other models exist
• Leon County, FL
• Civil Citations
o First-time offenses including possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
o Needs assessment – could result in drug screening, community service, targeted behavior change interventions and other sanctions to address behavioral change
o In-person and online systems that allow law enforcement and service providing agencies to manage each participant
o The intervention plan includes the following: * Community service - 25 hours (case manager may increase) * Online educational interventions (e-Learning resources) * Drug screening, AA or NA meetings * Counseling sessions: Cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing (two at minimum but could be more as determined by assessment) * Program fees (flexible payment system)
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New Jersey conditional discharge
• Low level users get supervisory treatment or drug education (most get latter)
• If they complete the program all charges are dismissed
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Montgomery County, Maryland
• Diversion program –
oMust only be charged with a minor drug offense and related acts.
oCannot have any prior felony convictions within the past 10 years.
o Must not have any pending criminal charges (defendants may be eligible at a later date is pending charges are dropped)
oParticipate in drug education or treatment
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Maryland’s decriminalization law
• Requires marijuana drug education and/or treatment following evaluation for those under the age of 21 apprehended for possession of 10g or less
• Graduated penalties
• Use of marijuana in a public space will impose a $500 fine for the 1st and subsequent offenses, (b) use or possession of any amount of marijuana in the passenger compartment of an automobile
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