NCJ Number
113335
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1988) Pages: 75-82
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study indicates that California has saved a minimum of one billion dollars since 1976 as a result of making possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a citable misdemeanor (Moscone Act of 1976) instead of a felony, as under previous law.
Abstract
Savings were examined from 1976 through 1985 in the areas of arrest costs, court costs, prison costs, and parole costs. Marijuana arrest expenditures were calculated according to a method designed by Post (California Senate Select Committee, 1974), who determined that approximately one-fourth of police time is devoted to the detection and apprehension of criminals, such that arrest expenditures are approximately 25 percent of all law enforcement expenditures. Weighting felony arrests at three times as expensive as misdemeanor arrests, the average cost per felony was determined by dividing total arrest expenditures by the number of felony arrests plus one-third of the number of misdemeanor arrests. Findings indicate that the Moscone Act has achieved its objectives of both reducing law enforcement expenditures related to possession of small amounts of marijuana to a minimum and relieving an overwhelming burden on the State judicial system. A 1987 study by Mandel indicates that lowering penalties for marijuana possession has not increased its use. 2 figures, 4 tables, 12 references.