• February 2012, Eastern Sociological Society, New York City
After five months of data collection and analysis, four sociology students presented their findings at the Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in New York City. Carla McCartin, Nicole McQueenan, Sean Tiernan and Brett Harrington analyzed the results of 115 surveys administered to Suffolk University students. Comparing the results with the findings from last year's study they found that support was still  high for the Massachusetts law that decriminalized small amounts of marijuana (82%), although this support had declined 6% from the previous year. Support also decreased for legalizing the medical use of marijuana (77% versus 72%) and the taxation of marijuana (64% versus 63%). Explanation for the decrease in support for the liberalization of marijuana laws may stem from concern due to the slight increase in students who report use (34% to 43%). Support for expanding access may also have diminished as economic issues, obtaining a job, supporting a family, paying college tuition and legislation that would facilitate these were considered much more important by students this year than in the past. This project was supported by the Center for Crime and Justice Policy Research.