Sarah J

Journal Exercise #2:

How Risky is Marijuana Possession?

Considering the Role of Age, Race, and Gender

Nguyen, Holly and Peter Reuter. 2012. “How Risky is Marijuana Possession? Considering the Role of Age, Race, and Gender.” Crime and Delinquency 58(6): 879-910.

Summary: 

Over the last 20 years, arrest rates for the possession of marijuana have increased, constituting the largest single arrest offense category. Despite the spike in arrest rates, the rates of usage of marijuana have remained stable. The article above explores the relationship between marijuana use and  arrest rates in relation to race, gender, and age., answering the research question, “How risky is marijuana possession?” This articles uses several different data sets, including the NSDUH, an annual survey that measures the prevalence and correlates of drug use int the United States, UCR, published annual statistics on persons arrested, and the Decennial Census, which provides dirt population counts in the United States. The researchers also used public records to attain arrest records to determine age, race, and gender of a person possessing marijuana. This information was used to figure whether there are patterns in the arrest rates in relation to age, race, and gender.

Through the article, findings suggest that race is an important reason for being arrested for the possession of marijuana. It was speculated that there are factors that can contribute to the discrepancy of the higher arrests rates of Blacks. One individual-factor could place Blacks in riskier positions than Whites. It was suggested that Blacks are involved in many more high-risk drug transitions that Whites. Secondly, certain neighborhood and community characteristics can contribute to the heightened arrest probabilities that Blacks face. It was stated that many more police officers patrol in high-crime areas and communities with higher populations. With higher police per capita, crimes are more likely to be found and punished. Another finding suggest that youth (15-19 years old) are more likely to be arrested for possession. Juveniles are especially easy to arrest, given that they most likely consume marijuana outdoors, as they do not have access to private residences without being monitored by their parents or guardians. Lastly, findings suggest that female and male arrest rates remained comparable. Males do have a more likely tendency to be arrested, but many factors can contribute to that. Such as, when males and females consume marijuana together, males might be the ones who purchase and carry around the marijuana, putting themselves at greater risk than females. All of these finding are a result of much research and analysis.