Marijuana And The Juvenile Justice System

Last Updated on Fri, 01 Dec 2023 | Marijuana

The first juvenile court in the United States was established in Illinois in 1899. The juvenile justice system was founded on the principles of rehabilitation, with a focus on the offender, not the offense. In the 1950s and 1960s, many began to question the ability of the juvenile court to effectively rehabilitate delinquent youth; by the 1980s, the pendulum began to swing away from lenient approaches and toward more severe sanctions for juvenile offenders. The 1990s completed this turnabout as authorities more strongly enforced the legal standards of juvenile crime.

Statistics show that juvenile arrest rates for drug abuse violations in recent years are substantially higher than those of a decade ago. This may suggest that juveniles have been breaking drug laws more often in recent years. However, it is equally possible that reduced tolerance for drug use has simply resulted in a greater willingness to arrest and prosecute juvenile

Mike knew Friday night was going to be special, and he didn't want to mess it up. He had been asking Mychelle out for two months. Now that she and that jerk she'd been dating had broken up, she finally told him yes. Mike's friend Bobby always got high and said he'd give Mike a couple of joints for his date with Mychelle as a "good luck" present. Thursday after school, Mike and Bobby drove to get a snack at the burger shop. Bobby handed Mike the two joints, and with a wink said, "Have a great time tomorrow night!"

Mike and Bobby may not know that, depending on which state they live in, even giving marijuana to someone (and accepting it) can be considered "dealing" drugs in spite of the fact that money may not be exchanged. Also, Mike and Bobby could pay stiff fines or even serve jail time for possessing, using, and/or selling marijuana. Getting arrested can interrupt or postpone a teen's hopes and dreams.

drug offenders. Therefore, a more careful analysis of these statistics is in order.

Several organizations collect data on juvenile arrests. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) program, established in 1930, compiles crime information from nearly 17,000 state and local law enforcement agencies around the country. The UCR's main objective has been to produce criminal statistics for use in law enforcement. Today its "crime index" has become a leading public indicator of yearly fluctuations in the level of crime in the United States.

In 2000, the UCR estimated 1.6 million arrests for drug violations in the United States among all age groups. The UCR defines drug violations as "state and/or local offenses related to the unlawful sale, purchase, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, possession, or use of a narcotic drug." These reports consider marijuana a narcotic drug.

When interpreting UCR data, we can assume that a juvenile is someone who is under 18 years of age. We should also note that recent UCR data are not specific to juvenile marijuana arrest trends; its findings relate to overall juvenile drug abuse arrest trends, regardless of the type of drug involved.

According to recent Uniform Crime Reports data:

• Between 1991 and 2000, across all age groups, drug abuse arrests increased by about 50 percent.

• By comparison, juvenile drug arrests increased 145 percent in that same 10-year period. (In 1991, about 43,000 juveniles were arrested for drug abuse violations; in 2000, 106,000 juveniles were arrested on the same charges.)

• However, much of this increase occurred between 1991 and 1995; between 1996 and 2000, juvenile arrests stabilized, averaging a 5 percent fluctuation. Drug arrests between 1996 and 2000 decreased for juvenile males by 5 percent and increased for females by 5 percent.

• It is worth noting that in 2000, approximately 94,000 juvenile males were arrested on drug abuse charges compared with 17,000 females in that same year. Historically, there have typically been more arrests of juvenile males than females for drug abuse violations.

• In 1997, about 1.5 million pounds of marijuana were seized by the federal government. In 2000, the amount of confiscated marijuana nearly doubled to 2.6 million pounds.

• In 2000, 81 percent of drug abuse arrests for all age groups were for drug possession. Marijuana arrests accounted for 41 percent of all possession arrests compared with 24 percent for heroin or cocaine arrests. Of those arrested for possession of marijuana, over half were from the midwestern and southern regions of the United States.

• In addition, 11 percent of juveniles living in rural areas were arrested for drug violations in 2000 compared with only 7 percent of those living in cities.

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Readers' Questions

  • anas mclean
    How has the changes in marijuana laws impacted juvenile incarceration rates?
    1 year ago
    • The impact of changes in marijuana laws on juvenile incarceration rates is a complex issue that varies across different jurisdictions. However, in general, some potential effects include:
    1. Decrease in overall arrests: Changes in marijuana laws, such as decriminalization or legalization, may lead to a reduction in arrests related to marijuana possession or use. This could potentially lead to a decrease in the number of juveniles being arrested and subsequently incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses.
    2. Diversion programs: With changing marijuana laws, many jurisdictions have implemented diversion programs where individuals, including juveniles, who commit low-level offenses, such as marijuana possession, are diverted away from the criminal justice system. These programs focus on rehabilitation or education rather than incarceration, and they can contribute to a decline in juvenile incarceration rates.
    3. Focus on more serious crimes: Redirecting law enforcement's attention and resources towards addressing more serious crimes due to changing marijuana laws could lead to a decrease in arrests and incarceration rates for juvenile offenders involved in marijuana-related offenses. This shift in priorities may result in a lower likelihood of juveniles being incarcerated for marijuana offenses.
    4. Disparities in enforcement: Despite changes in marijuana laws, there may still be disparities in how these laws are enforced. In some cases, these disparities could disproportionately affect certain communities, including juveniles from marginalized or disadvantaged backgrounds. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential impact on specific demographic groups when assessing changes in juvenile incarceration rates related to marijuana.
      5. It is worth noting that the impact of changes in marijuana laws on juvenile incarceration rates is a relatively recent phenomenon in many places, and ongoing research and data collection are necessary to fully understand the long-term consequences.
    • kimi
      Is it a crime for juvenile to use weed every now and then?
      1 year ago
      • Yes, it is a crime for a juvenile to use weed (marijuana). Depending on the state, punishments can include fines, probation, community service, or even incarceration.
      • rayyan
        Is marijuana use a status offense for juveniles?
        1 year ago
        • No, marijuana use is not a status offense for juveniles. Status offenses are behaviors that are only considered offenses for minors and are not considered criminal behaviors for adults. These offenses, such as truancy or curfew violations, are intended to help minors who have not committed criminal acts, to get help before they do so.
        • mark
          How have changes inmarijuana laws affected juvenile crime?
          1 year ago
          • Changes in marijuana laws have affected juvenile crime in many different ways. In states where marijuana is now legal, the overall crime rate, including juvenile crime, has decreased. States that have legalized marijuana, or decriminalized it, have seen crime rates drop, including violent crimes and property crimes, as well as drug-related arrests and youth substance abuse. In addition, studies have shown that legalizing marijuana leads to less youth involvement in the illegal drug trade. Legalizing marijuana can also help reduce the number of criminal offenses overall, as those who would have been arrested for possession of marijuana in the past are no longer facing the same potential punishment. This can lead to fewer incarceration rates among juveniles as well. There are still questions as to how legalizing marijuana affects youth usage and involvement in the drug market. Some evidence suggests that legalizing marijuana does lead to more usage among minors, but there is still much to be learned about this potential effect.
          • Ruby Bunce
            Are more juveniles smoking marijuana now that it is legal?
            1 year ago
            • It depends on the jurisdiction. Generally speaking, in areas where marijuana is legal for adults, marijuana use among juveniles is not necessarily higher. In some cases, marijuana use among juveniles is lower in legal states. This is likely because the availability of legal marijuana has decreased the illegal market, making it more difficult for juveniles to access marijuana. In other cases, marijuana use among juveniles has increased in legal states, likely due to the perception that marijuana is now safe to use. Further research is needed to more accurately gauge how legal marijuana affects juvenile marijuana use.
            • marguerite
              What is the law on giving marijuana to a juvenile in illinois 2020?
              1 year ago
              • It is illegal to give, sell or furnish any marijuana or cannabis to a juvenile (person under the age of 21) in Illinois. Selling, delivering, or providing marijuana to a minor is considered a felony offense in the state and can result in a fine of up to $200,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to seven years.
              • balbo
                How is marijuana possession charged among juveniles in marijuana legal states?
                1 year ago
                • The penalties for juvenile marijuana possession vary from state to state. In states where marijuana is legal, it's likely that the penalties for possession among juveniles will be much less severe compared to states where marijuana is illegal. Generally, marijuana possession among juveniles in legal states is likely to be charged as either a civil infraction or a misdemeanor. Depending on the state, some jurisdictions may impose community service, educational classes, probation, or a fine. Additionally, if the juvenile has a prior criminal record, the penalties may be more severe.
                • crassus
                  Is it a crime for juveniles to possess marijuana?
                  1 year ago
                  • Yes, it is a crime for juveniles to possess marijuana in most states. Depending on the state, the penalties can range from fines and community service to incarceration in a juvenile facility.
                  • Cassio
                    What was law for marijuana juvenile in 1968?
                    1 year ago
                    • In 1968, the possession of marijuana by minors was illegal in all U.S. states, though the punishments varied according to state. In some states, the possession of any amount of marijuana could lead to a fine or even jail time, while in other states, possession of small amounts of marijuana was considered a minor offense.
                    • jan
                      How meny people are in the juvenile justice system from marijuana?
                      1 year ago
                      • It is not possible to provide an exact figure for the number of people in the juvenile justice system as a result of marijuana-related offenses, as this information is not tracked by the government. However, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, an estimated 250,000 young people are arrested for marijuana-related offenses annually.
                      • helj
                        How many juveniles entered drug treatment in Hawaii for marijuana 2019?
                        1 year ago
                        • According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were 1201 juvenile admissions for marijuana-related treatment in Hawaii in 2019.
                        • sharon
                          Can juvenile court lock up for smoking marijuana?
                          1 year ago
                          • No, juvenile courts generally do not have the power to lock up a minor for smoking marijuana. Depending on the laws in the jurisdiction, a minor may face other legal consequences, such as community service or fines, for smoking marijuana.
                          • ilberic
                            How does having marijuana make you a juvenile offender?
                            1 year ago
                            • Having marijuana can make someone a juvenile offender because it is illegal for minors in most states. Depending on the age of the minor, the penalties for possessing, using, or selling marijuana can range from a citation and mandatory drug education classes to incarceration. Additionally, a juvenile offender can have their driver’s license suspended and/or have a criminal record on their permanent record.
                            • darcy
                              Can a juvenile be interviewed with marijuana in their system?
                              1 year ago
                              • It depends on the situation and location. In some cases, a juvenile may be interviewed while having marijuana in their system if they have a medical marijuana prescription and it is legal in the state. However, in many cases, this would be considered illegal and the juvenile may be subject to prosecution.
                              • Wilfredo
                                How is marijuana distributed among uveniles?
                                1 year ago
                                • Marijuana is distributed among juveniles in a variety of ways, including through peers and drug dealers. It is often obtained through personal or social contacts, or is purchased illegally on the street. It can also be obtained online, through the dark web, or other illicit sources. The distribution of marijuana among juveniles is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, as it can lead to serious health and legal consequences.