This study assesses whether legalization of cannabis helps alleviate racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
The authors explore trends in cannabis arrests to assess whether legalization of cannabis helps alleviate racial disparities in the criminal justice system. The results demonstrate a general decline in cannabis arrests for nearly all racial groups, yet these declines were not consistent across racial groups or even across states. Moreover, substantial racial disparities persist following legalization, especially in Colorado. Overall, evidence suggests that while legalization has likely had a net positive effect on overrepresented populations by decreasing criminal justice contact, it is not a panacea and may only be minimally important for addressing disparities. The study uses UCR data from Colorado and Washington disaggregated by rates using interrupted time-series analysis, linear mixed models, and data visualizations. (Published Abstract Provided)