After marijuana legalization in Washington State, overall arrest rates dropped dramatically for all races, but the relative disparity between African American and White arrest rates actually doubled from 2.5x to 5x.
People interested in cannabis legalization impacts, racial justice in drug policy, and equity in enforcement.
Overall arrests plummeted, but Black-White arrest ratio doubled from 2.5x to 5x
What the researchers found
Among adults 21+, marijuana arrest rates dropped dramatically after legalization of possession and stayed low after retail market opening. African American arrest rates fell in absolute terms, but relative disparities grew from 2.5x to 5x higher than White rates. Among 18-20 year olds, rates dropped less dramatically and relative disparities were unchanged.
Why it matters
Reducing racial disparities in marijuana enforcement was an explicit justification for legalization. While absolute numbers of arrests decreased for everyone, the relative targeting of African Americans actually intensified, challenging whether legalization achieves its equity goals.
The numbers in context
Adult 21+ arrest rates dropped dramatically after December 2012 legalization. Relative disparity: African American rates were 2.5x White rates before legalization, rising to 5x after retail market opened. Among 18-20 year olds: arrest rates decreased but relative disparities remained unchanged.
How the study worked
Analysis of 2012-2015 National Incident Based Reporting System data for Washington State, using negative binomial regression models to examine monthly marijuana arrest rates by race, adjusted for age and sex, comparing periods before and after legalization and retail market opening.
What this study cannot tell us
Only covers 2012-2015 (three years post-legalization). Washington State patterns may not generalize. NIBRS data capture arrests, not all police encounters. The growing relative disparity may partly reflect White arrest rates dropping faster rather than African American rates being maintained.
How to read the evidence
Strong: national incident-based data with regression modeling across three distinct policy periods.
When this study was published
Published in 2019, covering 2012-2015.
The bigger picture
Legalization reduced the total number of people arrested for marijuana, which is a positive outcome in absolute terms. But the persistence and growth of racial disparities suggests that enforcement discretion and policing patterns are the root issue, which legalization alone cannot fix.
Questions still open
- Why did relative disparities increase even as absolute arrests fell? Are the remaining marijuana arrests concentrated in specific types of offenses? Have other states with legalization seen similar patterns? What additional policy interventions are needed beyond legalization?
Common questions
Did legalization reduce racial disparities in marijuana arrests?
Why would disparities increase after legalization?
Read the original research
Did marijuana legalization in Washington State reduce racial disparities in adult marijuana arrests?
Substance use & misuse, 54(9), 1582-1587
Citation
Firth, Caislin L; Maher, Julie E; Dilley, Julia A; Darnell, Adam; Lovrich, Nicholas P. (2019). Did marijuana legalization in Washington State reduce racial disparities in adult marijuana arrests?. Substance use & misuse, 54(9), 1582-1587. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2019.1593007
Explore the wider topic
- Surviving 4/20 Sober: A Practical Survival Guide
- CBT for Cannabis Recovery: How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Works
- The Cannabis Relapse Cycle: Quit, Feel Good, Get Complacent, Repeat
- Cold Turkey vs Tapering: Which Way to Quit Weed
- Dating Sober After Years of Being High: What Nobody Tells You
- Exercise as Medicine: Working Out After Quitting Weed
- Grieving Weed Itself: Mourning the Loss of a Companion
- How to Help Someone Quit Weed (When They're Not Ready)
- How to Quit Weed: A No-Judgment Step by Step Guide
- Journaling Through Weed Withdrawal: Why Writing Helps You Heal
- MA vs SMART Recovery vs Therapy: Comparing Your Options
- Meditation and Mindfulness for Weed Withdrawal
- Your Partner Still Smokes Weed: How to Navigate It
- Quitting Weed While Your Partner Still Smokes
- The Pink Cloud Effect: When Quitting Weed Feels Too Good
- How to Quit Smoking Weed Cold Turkey: What to Expect
- Quit Weed or Cut Back: Which Is Right for You?
- I Quit Weed and Regret It: An Honest Look at Non-Linear Recovery
- Quitting Weed in Your 20s: Career, Social Life, Starting Over
- Quitting Weed in Your 30s: It's Not Too Late
- Quitting Weed After 10+ Years of Daily Use: What to Expect
- Quitting Weed During a Life Crisis: Divorce, Job Loss, and Other Bad Timing
- Quitting Weed and Working Out: How Exercise Helps Recovery
- Quitting Weed After Loss: When Grief Comes Flooding Back
- Quitting Weed When It's Legal Everywhere
- Weed Withdrawal Success Stories: Real People Who Made It Through
- Quitting Weed Long Distance: When You Can't Remove Triggers
- I Relapsed on Weed. Now What? A Practical Reset Guide
- I Relapsed After Quitting Weed: What Now?
- Should I Quit Weed? A Decision Framework (Not a Lecture)
- Quitting Weed at Music Festivals and Concerts: A Sober Survival Guide
- Supplements That Actually Help with Weed Withdrawal (And Ones That Don't)
- How to Tell Your Friends You're Quitting Weed
- Relapse Prevention Plan for Cannabis: A CBT-Based Approach
- Why Weed Relapse Happens: The Science Behind Going Back
- Replacing the Ritual: What to Do When You Quit Weed
- How Cannabis Damaged My Relationships: Before and After
- Social Media Detox from Weed Content