Marijuana Markets: Inferences From Reports by the Household Population

• NCJ Number: 213920
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: Winter 2006 Pages: 173-200
• Author(s): Jonathan P. Caulkins; Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 28 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01DA12724
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents findings, as reported in the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) on the structure and characteristics of United States marijuana markets.

Abstract

Consistent with prior findings, marijuana distribution appears to be rooted in social networks, not dominated by transactions with professional sellers. The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) data suggests that marijuana acquisition is almost the opposite to the images of anonymous drive through street markets for cocaine and heroin. Most NHSDA respondents reported that their recent marijuana acquisition occurred indoors (87 percent), from a friend or relative (89 percent), and for free (58 percent). Data estimate that there are approximately 400 million retail marijuana purchases in the United States each year. The average purchase size is small, about six or seven joints. This article provides summarized descriptive data on the marijuana market and acquisition patterns as reported by participants in the 2001 NHSDA. It is important to note that current information suggests that not all drug markets are alike. Tables, appendix, and references