Problem
The Problem Addressed:
The study focused on combating illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution in Deschutes County, Oregon, following challenges stemming from the legalization of recreational marijuana. Specific problems included the diversion of marijuana to illegal markets, inadequate resources for enforcement, and the complexity of distinguishing legal from illegal operations.
Impact on System and Public:
Illegal marijuana markets undermine public safety, tax revenue, and regulatory integrity. The enforcement challenges also affect rural communities, creating public health and legal complications, including increases in drugged driving and illegal interstate distribution.
Research Questions:
- How can law enforcement effectively target illegal marijuana markets post-legalization?
- What trends in marijuana-related criminal activity are evident over time?
- What enforcement strategies yield measurable impacts on illegal activity?
Method and Analysis
Program Evaluated:
The Illegal Marijuana Markets Enforcement (IMME) Grant Program aimed to establish specialized enforcement teams and gather comprehensive data on illegal marijuana activities in Deschutes County.
Data and Sample Size:
- Data sources included law enforcement incident records (2013-2018), marijuana seizure data, prosecution data, and geospatial mapping.
- Sample: 9,984 police calls for service (CFS) referencing marijuana and related incidents.
Analysis Used:
- Manual coding of marijuana-related calls.
- Trend analysis of law enforcement and prosecution activities.
- Geospatial analysis of marijuana-related activities.
Outcome
Key Findings:
- Law Enforcement Trends:
- Marijuana-related calls for service increased post-legalization, especially for drugged driving and medical complications.
- Arrests for marijuana offenses have decreased for adults but remained stable for juveniles.
- Seizures of marijuana significantly increased due to the efforts of the dedicated enforcement team.
- Prosecution Patterns:
- There has been a shift in prosecutions away from possession charges toward cases of drugged driving.
- Diversion programs for marijuana-related offenses increased.
- Impact of Enforcement Team:
- Over nine months, the team made 15 arrests, seized over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, and dismantled six butane honey oil (BHO) labs.
Implications or Recommendations:
- For Law Enforcement:
- Expand public awareness campaigns about enforcement successes to enhance deterrence.
- Collaborate with logistics companies to prevent illegal marijuana shipments.
- For Policy:
- Increase funding to sustain dedicated marijuana enforcement teams.
- Develop educational resources to clarify legal marijuana guidelines for the public.
This study underscores the challenges and progress in addressing illegal marijuana markets in a legalized context, highlighting enforcement strategies and policy considerations for broader application.