Racial and gender inequities in the implementation of a cannabis criminal justice diversion program in a large and diverse metropolitan county of the USA

Sanchez, Helen F.; Orr, Michael F.; Wang, Ann; Cano, Miguel Ángel; Vaughan, Ellen L.; Harvey, Laura; Essa, Saman; Torbati, Autena; Clark, Uraina S.; Fagundes, Christopher P.; Dios, Marcel A. de

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108316

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…Even programs intended to reduce the harm of incarceration can be counterproductive. An evaluation of a cannabis criminal justice diversion program in Harris County, TX, found that Black men are overrepresented in the program, and that Black and Latine men are less likely than white men to finish the program-an outcome that is associated with increased subsequent involvement in the legal system (Sanchez et al, 2020).…”

Section: Why States Are Emphasizing Equity In Cannabis Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Education Can Be Used to Increase Support for Equity in Cannabis Policy

et al. 2023

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Objectives. States that are legalizing cannabis for adult use are increasingly focused on equity, with the goal of repairing some of the harm caused by the War on Drugs. This study explains and describes the emphasis states are placing on equity and assesses whether public education can be used to increase public support for equity-focused cannabis policies. Methods. We conducted an online survey of 893 New Jersey adults in August and September of 2021, just as state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission was publishing the first set of regulations for the legal sale and use of cannabis for adults age 21 and older. The study included an experimental design, in which half of respondents viewed an educational message about equity-focused cannabis policies before answering survey questions, and the other half did not. Results. Few participants (24.9%) were familiar with the concept of equity in cannabis policy, and a substantial proportion—from about 20% to 35%—provided a “neutral” or “don’t know” response when asked about support for specific policies. Exposure to an educational message was associated with greater perceived importance of equity in cannabis policy (p < 0.05) and greater support for equity-focused policies. Specifically, participants who saw an educational message had greater agreement that New Jersey should provide priority licensing (p < 0.01) and grants (p < 0.001) to people who have been arrested for cannabis, and who now want to participate in the legal cannabis industry. Conclusions. Cannabis regulators, public health professionals, and people working to advance racial justice may be able to advance state equity goals and remedy some of the harm from the War on Drugs by expanding public education campaigns to include equity messages.

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Section: Why States Are Emphasizing Equity In Cannabis Policymentioning

confidence: 99%