NCJ Number
57208
Journal
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Volume: 282 Dated: (1976) Pages: 405-415
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE RESPONSE OF POLICE, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, AND EDUCATORS TO DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION IN OREGON IS REPORTED.
Abstract
IN 1973 THE OREGON LEGISLATURE ENACTED A LAW REPLACING CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR SIMPLE POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA WITH A MAXIMUM CIVIL FINE OF $100. IN 1975 THE OPINIONS OF THE STATE'S DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, MUNICIPAL POLICE CHIEFS, JUDGES, COLLEGE PRESIDENTS, AND HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS (343 CONTACTED, PERCENTAGE OF RESPONSE NOT INDICATED) REGARDING DECRIMINALIZATION AND RELATED MATTERS WERE SURVEYED. IN ADDITION, MARIJUANA-RELATED ADMISSIONS TO A STATE HOSPITAL BEFORE AND AFTER DECRIMINALIZATION WERE COMPARED. THERE WERE TWO MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: (1) MEDICALLY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS FROM USE OF MARIJUANA HAVE DECREASED SINCE DECRIMINALIZATION (FROM 6.7 PERCENT OF DRUG-RELATED ADMISSIONS IN 1970 TO 2.5 PERCENT IN 1975); AND (2) THERE WAS EXTREME DIVERGENCE OF OPINION REGARDING DECRIMINALIZATION AND DRUG PROBLEMS IN GENERAL. POLICE SAW THE MATTER ENTIRELY DIFFERENTLY FROM JUDGES AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, WHILE EDUCATORS SHARED SOME VIEWS WITH JUDGES, OTHERS WITH POLICE. EDUCATORS FELT THAT MARIJUANA AND ESPECIALLY OTHER DRUG PROBLEMS AMONG STUDENTS WERE ON THE DECLINE, WHEREAS POLICE FELT THESE PROBLEMS WERE INCREASING. ONLY THE POLICE ADVOCATED A RETURN TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION. THE MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS WISHED NEITHER TO LIBERALIZE THE MARIJUANA LAW FURTHER, NOR TO TAX, CONTROL, AND SELL MARIJUANA IN THE WAY THAT ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTE SALES ARE REGULATED. THE FINDINGS ALSO REFLECT DIFFERENCES IN RESPONDENTS' PERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF DECRIMINALIZATION ON RESPECT FOR THE LAW AND FOR POLICE, ON THE PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF MARIJUANA OFFENDERS, AND ON THE AMOUNT OF POLICE TIME SPENT ON DRUG CASES. SUPPORTING DATA, A LIST OF REFERENCES, AND REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS BY RESPONDENTS ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)