Civil Citations for Cannabis Possession

Abstract Results from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Sur-vey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) have indicated that approximately 8% of responding adolescents ages 12–17 engaged in illicit substance use during the past year; the most commonly reported substance used was marijuana (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis-tration (SAMHSA), NSDUH series H-44, HHS publica-tion no. (SMA) 12-4713, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD, 2012). Importantly, marijuana use places adolescents at risk of arrest when found in possession of cannabis. Drug abuse violations are associated with multiple consequences for the youth, their families, and communities. Policy mak-ers, therefore, have encouraged the use of civil citations to reduce drug abuse related arrests for youth. Purpose: The current study sought to identify and describe civil cita-tions use for youth marijuana possession. Methods: Using a secondary dataset, we examined aggregate arrests in a Central Florida county. Results: During a 3-year period, 1635 arrests were made for cannabis possession. The vast majority of such arrests were for multiple charges (n = 1272; 78%). For those arrested due to cannabis posses-sion alone (n = 363; 22%), over 75% were adults (n = 281). Therefore, only 82 youth were arrested under the charge, accounting for less than one quarter of all arrests for F.S. §893.13.6b (2013). However, the majority of these youth were detained in juvenile assessment centers (65%, n = 59); a rate markedly higher than their adult counterparts (37%, n = 105). Discussion: Due to the concerns associated with arrest and detainment, the authors contend efforts should be made to increase use of civil citations for youth with can-nabis possession when possible. Implications for policy are presented.