What Does it Mean to Decriminalize Marijuana? A Cross-National Empirical Examination

Rosalie L. Pacula; Robert MacCoun; Peter Reuter; Jamie Chriqui; Beau Kilmer; Katherine Harris; Letizia Paoli; Carsten Schäfer

doi:10.1016/S0731-2199(05)16017-8

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Advances in Health Economics and Health Services Research

ISSN: 0731-2199
Series editor(s): Prof. Michael Grossman, Prof. Bjorn Lindgren, Prof. Robert Kaestner, Prof. Kristian Bolin

Subject Area: Health Care Management/Healthcare

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What Does it Mean to Decriminalize Marijuana? A Cross-National Empirical Examination

Document Information:
Title:	What Does it Mean to Decriminalize Marijuana? A Cross-National Empirical Examination
Author(s):	Rosalie L. Pacula, Robert MacCoun, Peter Reuter, Jamie Chriqui, Beau Kilmer, Katherine Harris, Letizia Paoli, Carsten Schäfer
Volume:	16 Editor(s): Björn Lindgren, Michael Grossman ISBN: 978-0-76231-233-7 eISBN: 978-1-84950-361-7
Citation:	Rosalie L. Pacula, Robert MacCoun, Peter Reuter, Jamie Chriqui, Beau Kilmer, Katherine Harris, Letizia Paoli, Carsten Schäfer (2005), What Does it Mean to Decriminalize Marijuana? A Cross-National Empirical Examination, in Björn Lindgren, Michael Grossman (ed.) Substance Use: Individual Behaviour, Social Interactions, Markets and Politics (Advances in Health Economics and Health Services Research, Volume 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp.347-369
DOI:	10.1016/S0731-2199(05)16017-8 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Article type:	Chapter Item
Abstract:	Although frequently discussed as a singular policy, there is tremendous variation in the laws and regulations surrounding so-called decriminalization policies adopted by Western countries, with many jurisdictions adopting depenalization policies rather than policies that actually change the criminal status of cannabis possession offences. This paper provides a discussion of the liberalization policies being adopted in Western countries, highlighting distinct elements about particular policies that are important for proper analysis and interpretation of the policies. It then discusses some of the environmental factors that also shape these policies, and hence influence their potential impact, using data from the U.S.A. as a particular example. The results clearly show that researchers should be careful conducting intra- or international comparisons of policies because important aspects of these policies are frequently ignored.