Legalization and Decriminalization of Marijuana: Effects on Organized Crime and Criminal Justice

Matić Bošković, Marina (2020) Legalization and Decriminalization of Marijuana: Effects on Organized Crime and Criminal Justice. In: Međunarodni naučni tematski skup Droga i narkomanija: pravni, kriminološki, sociološki i medicinski problemi, Palić, 2-3. septembar 2020. Institut za kriminološka i sociološka istraživanja, Beograd, pp. 379-390. ISBN 978-86-80756-33-2

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Abstract

Drug abuse is worldwide challenge and mitigation measures are implemented both at the national and international level. Marijuana is the mostly spread drug with 188 million people who reported use of the marijuana. National policies differ from strict enforcement of prohibition to decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Over the last decade shift towards changing of policy and legalization of marijuana have been noticed in USA and Europe. Promoters of marijuana legalization among other things highlight that prohibition of marijuana produces significant costs for the budget through engagement of law enforcement, judiciary and prison administration and generates high profits for organized crime groups that are responding on demand of the market. After few decades of strict prohibition, especially in the USA we could notice that proclaimed goals were not achieved and that use of marijuana increased over time. Serbia opted for strict drug policy and criminalization of marijuana, however there are no evidence that this policy led to decrease of use or suppression of black market. In the article we are assessing effects of marijuana legalization in US and several European countries on organized crime and its potential relevance for Serbian decision makers

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