The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40177

Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS¹, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, PhD², Duane C. McBride, PhD³, and Mark D. Boward, MA³. (1) Center for Health Policy and Legislative Analysis, The MayaTech Corporation, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 900, Silver Spring, MD 20910-5645, 301-587-1600, jchriqui@mayatech.com, (2) Health Program, RAND Corporation, 1700 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, (3) Department of Behavioral Science, Andrews University, 123 Nethery Hall, Berrien Springs, MI 49104

Marijuana is the most readily available and widely used illicit drug in the U.S. Although marijuana use among adults has been relatively stable during the 1990s, admissions to publicly-funded treatment facilities where marijuana is the primary drug of dependence has been on the rise. Many have attributed this recent rise in marijuana-related treatment episodes to a rise in referrals from the criminal justice system. Indeed, recent data from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) shows that more than half of the persons admitted to publicly-funded treatment facilities for marijuana-related treatment were referred by the criminal justice system. In this paper we present original data collected on state laws in effect from 1990 through 1999 that provide for marijuana offenders to be diverted to treatment for a first offense penalty or as part of a conditional discharge provision. We assess the relationship, if any, between the state laws and marijuana-related treatment admissions to examine the extent to which states that allow for treatment diversion are also reporting higher admissions via a criminal justice referral and the characteristics of the individuals being referred. This research is part of a larger research agenda, undertaken as part of the ImpacTeen Initiative, to explore the relationship between marijuana laws and implementation.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, the audience will understand which states have statutorily allowed for the diversion of marijuana offenders to treatment and the extent to which such state laws lead to increased criminal justice referrals to treatment.

Keywords: Marijuana, Public Policy

Related Web page: www.impacteen.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: ImpacTeen
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Contract