Aa
California Marijuana Decriminalization Drops Youth Crime Rate To Record Low
Between 2010 and 2011, California experienced a drastic 20 percent decrease in juvenile crime--bringing the underage crime rate to the lowest level since the state started keeping records in 1954.
According to a recently released study, much of that improvement can be credited to the decriminalization of marijuana.
The study, entitled "California Youth Crime Plunges to All-Time Low" and released by the San Francisco-based Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, looked at the number of people under the age of 18 who were arrested in the state over the past eight decades. The research not only found juvenile crime to be at its lowest level ever but, in the wake of then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signing a bill reducing the punishment for possessing a small amount of marijuana from a misdemeanor to simply an infraction, the drop in rates was particularity significant.
In that one-year period, the number of arrests for violent crimes dropped by 16 percent, homicide went down by 26 percent and drug arrests decreased by nearly 50 percent.
The category of drug arrests showed decreases in every type of crime; however, the vast majority of the drop resulted from far fewer arrests for marijuana possession. In 2010, marijuana possession accounted for 64 percent of all drug arrests, and in 2011, that number decreased to only 46 percent.
California's drop in serious youth crime has decreased faster than in the rest of the nation.
According to a recently released study, much of that improvement can be credited to the decriminalization of marijuana.
The study, entitled "California Youth Crime Plunges to All-Time Low" and released by the San Francisco-based Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, looked at the number of people under the age of 18 who were arrested in the state over the past eight decades. The research not only found juvenile crime to be at its lowest level ever but, in the wake of then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signing a bill reducing the punishment for possessing a small amount of marijuana from a misdemeanor to simply an infraction, the drop in rates was particularity significant.
In that one-year period, the number of arrests for violent crimes dropped by 16 percent, homicide went down by 26 percent and drug arrests decreased by nearly 50 percent.
The category of drug arrests showed decreases in every type of crime; however, the vast majority of the drop resulted from far fewer arrests for marijuana possession. In 2010, marijuana possession accounted for 64 percent of all drug arrests, and in 2011, that number decreased to only 46 percent.
California's drop in serious youth crime has decreased faster than in the rest of the nation.
My last paragraph means that medical marijauna is a seperate issue to me and do think that should be available to people who have legitimate needs but would like to see it dispensed differently.
Rivll, I'm sure many like you ---- feel like it should be legal but don't condone the use. I can appreciate the difference for sure.
and it is all just a difference of opinion on a subject like any other subject.
Rivll, I'm sure many like you ---- feel like it should be legal but don't condone the use. I can appreciate the difference for sure.
and it is all just a difference of opinion on a subject like any other subject.
Well, it is true that I am deep in the child rearing years but I am thinking that this won't change as once a mother always a mother and I will never want my kids whether they are adults or not to have the message that doing drugs including pot is acceptable.
This is more my personality. You'd probably find me a bore at a party because I don't need alcohol or drugs or anything but good conversation to be thoroughly entertained. And even if good conversation is absent, I can entertain myself just fine by observing people.
I'm not into drugs. I had minor experimentation as a youth and realized what it did to my mind and didn't like it. I like a clear mind with nothing hindering it. That is my personality.
Who know s what will happen when my kids are older, you are right. But I'd rather there be a very VERY clear message that drugs are the wrong choice both from society and legally.
Although, Adgal and i are on the same page and she's given me something to think about.
PS: you might be surprised at my age. Ha, I'm not exactly a spring chicken as I had my children l later in life. I'm firmly middle aged and sincerely doubt I'll loosen up regarding drug use--- my own and otherwise.
Now, I'm not talking about drugs used for medical purposes. I was disheartened to hear how they are dispensed and think it should be sold ONLY through a legitimate pharmacy as a controlled medication rather than some of these 'shops'.
This is more my personality. You'd probably find me a bore at a party because I don't need alcohol or drugs or anything but good conversation to be thoroughly entertained. And even if good conversation is absent, I can entertain myself just fine by observing people.
I'm not into drugs. I had minor experimentation as a youth and realized what it did to my mind and didn't like it. I like a clear mind with nothing hindering it. That is my personality.
Who know s what will happen when my kids are older, you are right. But I'd rather there be a very VERY clear message that drugs are the wrong choice both from society and legally.
Although, Adgal and i are on the same page and she's given me something to think about.
PS: you might be surprised at my age. Ha, I'm not exactly a spring chicken as I had my children l later in life. I'm firmly middle aged and sincerely doubt I'll loosen up regarding drug use--- my own and otherwise.
Now, I'm not talking about drugs used for medical purposes. I was disheartened to hear how they are dispensed and think it should be sold ONLY through a legitimate pharmacy as a controlled medication rather than some of these 'shops'.
I am more for decriminalization than anything else. It is not like I think pot is the next best thing to sliced bread...it is a drug and like any drug (I include nicotine and alcohol in this category) it needs to be regulated.
I didn't smoke MJ while my kids were growing up, nor did I ever drink. I warned them about the dangers of using anything, including drugs commonly prescribed by the medical establishment. I gave examples of people I know who became lazy and nearly paralyzed by smoking pot on a regular basis as I warned them about the toxicity and terrible consequences of alcohol abuse. (I do believe alcohol is a much more serious drug and would be a prohibitionist if it came up again.)
2 of my four do not use MJ , one uses it occasionally and recreationally and one , in my opinion is addicted to it.
My children like many of my students live in a world where drugs are a reality, no matter how seriously we educate them.
I grew up in a world where pot was considered a terrible and dangerous drug but the adults in around me drank like there was no tomorrow and used prescription drugs that were addictive. They mostly died young and really were not the best they could have been, being so wrapped up in their own toxic worlds.
These are the lessons I tried to impart to my children. There comes a time when we really don't have control over the decisions they make and all we can do is hope it doesn't become a criminal issue.
I don't see that my focus on decriminalizing weed is condoning it's use.
I didn't smoke MJ while my kids were growing up, nor did I ever drink. I warned them about the dangers of using anything, including drugs commonly prescribed by the medical establishment. I gave examples of people I know who became lazy and nearly paralyzed by smoking pot on a regular basis as I warned them about the toxicity and terrible consequences of alcohol abuse. (I do believe alcohol is a much more serious drug and would be a prohibitionist if it came up again.)
2 of my four do not use MJ , one uses it occasionally and recreationally and one , in my opinion is addicted to it.
My children like many of my students live in a world where drugs are a reality, no matter how seriously we educate them.
I grew up in a world where pot was considered a terrible and dangerous drug but the adults in around me drank like there was no tomorrow and used prescription drugs that were addictive. They mostly died young and really were not the best they could have been, being so wrapped up in their own toxic worlds.
These are the lessons I tried to impart to my children. There comes a time when we really don't have control over the decisions they make and all we can do is hope it doesn't become a criminal issue.
I don't see that my focus on decriminalizing weed is condoning it's use.
I wasn't equating eating a hamburger to smoking pot.
My point was simply that anything can be abused, including food.
( I don't eat beef so maybe that's why I used that as an example. I don't care for meat pumped full of hormones eating food treated with chemicals~ yuck.)
One difference I feel between some of us is simply based on age and our place in life. When you have young kids you tend to be very protective, I think it's a natural response.
My kids are grown, I've had to adjust my attitudes based on my experience with teens and young adults.
They don't always do what we want or would like no matter how well we think we've parented them. I'd hate for my kid or any kid to land up in jail based on youthful indiscretion.
My point was simply that anything can be abused, including food.
( I don't eat beef so maybe that's why I used that as an example. I don't care for meat pumped full of hormones eating food treated with chemicals~ yuck.)
One difference I feel between some of us is simply based on age and our place in life. When you have young kids you tend to be very protective, I think it's a natural response.
My kids are grown, I've had to adjust my attitudes based on my experience with teens and young adults.
They don't always do what we want or would like no matter how well we think we've parented them. I'd hate for my kid or any kid to land up in jail based on youthful indiscretion.
Well said, SM!
I too think it's the complacency and cavalier attitudes that sends the message that it's okay....it's "only pot". I think peple voting to legalize it sends a HUGE message to kids and teens. And, not a good one, IMO.
I too think it's the complacency and cavalier attitudes that sends the message that it's okay....it's "only pot". I think peple voting to legalize it sends a HUGE message to kids and teens. And, not a good one, IMO.
Social pressure to not use it (unless for legitimate purposes) is exactly what I would like to see with our youth. Kids often make poor decisions - it's the nature of being kids. So I would like to see more emphasis on drugs being "uncool". Part of my push for decriminilization is that I do believe kids will go after the forbidden fruit, but also because I do not want to see a young person wind up with a felony record for trying any drug. Same thing for adults. Getting caught with drugs, and getting a record is awful. It can make it even more challenging to turn things around - get jobs, etc. I don't want to see drug use become a free for all, but I do want people to have an easier time seeking treatment if necessary, etc. Right now, if you are a parent and seek drug treatment, it is possible that you risk having your kids removed. People are so afraid of that, they often don't get the help they need. So again, not sure about all out legalization (I go back and forth on that), but I am for decriminilization of all drugs. Users and dealers should be treated differently in our legal system.
You must join this user group in order to participate in this discussion.
You are reading content posted in the Current Events . . . Group
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
