• March 2010, Eastern Sociological Society, Boston, MA


Four sociology students, Ashlyn Hackert, Gillian Murphy, Erica Ferrelli and Pat Greaney presented results of their five month research project on Suffolk students' attitudes about marijuana decriminalization at the Easter Sociological Society Annual Meeting. Results from a sample of 175 students indicate that 88% of Suffolk undergraduate students support the recent Massachusetts law decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Support for this legislation varies by political party affiliation with those identifying as Democrat significantly more likely to be in favor of the law. Life experiences such as knowing someone who has been arrested for possession, having a friend or family member using marijuana for medicinal purposes or knowing someone who has lost their job during recent recession, increased the likelihood of support significantly. Eighty percent are in favor of future legislation that permits the medical use of marijuana if physician prescribed. The research also examines the impact that decriminalization has on students' drug using behavior. Did the new law increase use of marijuana or other illegal drugs? 77% of the participants report no change in the frequency of their marijuana use while 88% report that their use of illegal drugs has not changed. The research was sponsored by the Center for Crime and Justice Policy Research.