Marijuana decriminalization is a law that specifically eliminates criminal sanctions for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Decriminalization of marijuana eliminates possible imprisonment for most first offense possession violations. Oregon, in 1973, was the first state to decriminalize marijuana. By 1978, 10 other states had followed, substantially reducing the penalties associated with marijuana possession. Decriminalization, by lowering the penalties associated with marijuana use, is expected to increase marijuana demand.
In the mid- 1930s the federal government, under the guidance of Harry Anslinger, led an all-out campaign against marijuana to convince the public that it was a highly dangerous drug and to push for legislation to outlaw it. Numerous stories were told about ax murderers driven to the act by the use of a single marijuana cigarette and women who became prostitutes because of the effects of the drug. In addition, most of the public equated recreational marijuana use with low-status or deviant groups, such as Mexican laborers, jazz musicians, and poor blacks ( Musto, 1973).
"Between the mid-30s until the mid- 1960s there was a strong public consensus that marijuana was a dangerous drug and that moderate use was impossible" ( Himmelstein, 1986:4). All use was considered dangerous and even government hearings on marijuana described the drug as more dangerous than heroin or cocaine. In many states the criminal penalties for marijuana were identical to those for heroin.
In 1937 the federal government passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which had the effect of criminalizing marijuana possession, and by 1940 every state had outlawed marijuana. In the 1950s state and federal penalties were increased. By 1965 typical marijuana laws included penalties of two years in prison for the first offense of simple possession, five years for the second offense, and ten years for the third offense. Penalties for selling were even.......
