Working to Reform Marijuana Laws
The NORML Almanac of Marijuana Arrest Statistics
Connecticut Marijuana Arrests
Marijuana Arrests 1995-2002 (Summary) Marijuana Possession Arrests-2002 (Demographics) Marijuana Sales Arrests-2002 (Demographics) Marijuana Arrests by County 1998-2002
The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics
Introduction The NORML Almanac of Marijuana Arrest Statistics provides detailed data on the distribution and composition of marijuana arrests to supplement the analysis and data contained in NORML’s 2005 report “Crimes of Indiscretion: Marijuana Arrests in the United States.” The data used for these tables were produced by the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) program of the Department of Justice ‐ Federal Bureau of Investigation. Local police agencies report data to state agencies, which compile and report it to the national program office. Some local agencies do not participate in the program, and neither do some states. Florida, Illinois, and Washington D.C. did not report data to the UCR program in 2002, though some Illinois data was obtained directly from the state for this report. This report relies on two UCR data sets. UCR County‐Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data have been used to generate state and county level arrest totals and rates, generally for the years 1995 to 2002. County‐ level data are reported along with codes that indicate 9 categories of population sizes. Generally the largest arrest rates reported are for small jurisdictions with significant numbers of arrests of non‐residents, such as in a popular vacation area. The UCR Age, Sex, and Race file has been used along with US Census population data to produce arrest rates by demographic category for marijuana possession and sales arrests in 2002. The four categories used for race‐based data in the UCR program are White, Black, Indian (Native American), and Asian. The race‐based data are also subdivided by general age group: adult, juvenile, and all. Age/sex data are presented in two formats. The primary presentation
utilizes five year age categories for males, females, and both. Age/sex data are also presented using single year categories for age 15 to age 24 to highlight the impact of marijuana arrests on these specific age groups. All arrest rates reported in these tables are per 100,000 population. Some arrests rates may vary due to differences in the data sets; for example the arrest rate for possession derived from the county level file may be 200 while the same arrest rate derived from the age, sex and race file may be 192. Data reported in these tables may also differ from reports from state criminal justice agencies; UCR files are frequently updated at the state level. State sections include the following additional data: marijuana arrests as a percentage of drug arrests, marijuana arrests as a percentage of all arrests, the 2002 Census population, 2002 reporting coverage for demographic data, and the maximum state penalties for possession or sale of 1 ounce of marijuana. Marijuana arrests as a percentage of all drug arrests indicate the resources marijuana offenses take away from other drug control efforts. Marijuana arrests as a percentage of all arrests provide an index of the cost of marijuana enforcement in a state; the percentage of all arrests indicates a general percentage of overall criminal justice costs that can be attributed to marijuana. The maximum penalties indicate the potential severity of punishment for marijuana offenses; these data also help characterize the potential cost of state marijuana laws under conditions of maximum enforcement. Jon B. Gettman, Ph.D.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Page 1
The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics
Key to Almanac Tables Marijuana Arrests 1995 – 2002 Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data: County‐level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data. [Computer File] All: Both adults and juveniles. Adults: Age 18 and older. Juvenile: Under age 18. Arrests: Total marijuana arrests, possession and sales arrests combined. Rate: The arrest rate per 100,000 for all marijuana offenses is calculated by dividing the number of arrests by the coverage population and multiplying the result by 100,000. Pct of Drug Arrests: The percent of drug arrests represented by marijuana arrests. This figure is calculated by dividing the number of marijuana arrests by the number of all arrests for drug offenses. Pct of All Arrests: The percentage of all arrests represented by marijuana arrests. This figure is calculated by dividing the number of marijuana arrests by the number of arrests for all criminal offenses. Marijuana Sales/Possession Arrests – 2002 Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data: Arrests by Age, Sex, and Race. [Computer File] Population: The total population estimated by the U.S. Census. Coverage: The percentage of the total population represented by the coverage
Page 2
population. This figure is calculated by dividing the coverage population by the census population for a region. Poss. Max: The maximum penalty for possession of 1 ounce of marijuana. Sales. Max: The maximum penalty for sales of one ounce of marijuana. Arrest Rate: The arrest rate per 100,000 population, calculated by dividing the number of arrests by the population served by the arresting police agencies and multiplying the result by 100,000. Adults: Individuals age 18 and older. Juveniles: Individuals under the age of 18. Rate: The demographic composition of coverage populations has been estimated using U.S. Census data and used to calculate arrest rates for marijuana offenses per 100,000 population for specific demographic groups. Arrest Pct.: The percentage of arrests for the offense accounted for by the demographic group. Pop. Pct.: The estimated percentage of the regional population accounted for by the demographic group. Ratio: The ratio produced by dividing Arrest Pct by Pop. Pct. by the population percentage. A group that accounts for equal shares of marijuana possession arrests and the general population will have a ratio of 1.0.
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The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics Marijuana Arrests by County 1998 – 2002 Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data: County‐level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data. [Computer File] Population Size: Nine categories are used to distinguish counties of similar population size. Special circumstances are more likely to disproportionately affect arrest rates in counties with smaller resident populations, such as high numbers of vacation visitors for beach and mountain resort areas. Arrests: Total marijuana arrests, possession and sales arrests combined. Arrest Rates: The arrest rate per 100,000 for all marijuana offenses is calculated by dividing the number of arrests by the coverage population and multiplying the result by 100,000. Rank (Rates): Ranking among all the counties in the State, from highest (1) to lowest.
Population Size Codes Size 1
Population
< 2,500
Size 2
Population
2,500
to
9,999
Size 3
Population
10,000
to
24,999
Size 4
Population
25,000
to
49,999
Size 5
Population
50,000
to
99,999
Size 6
Population
100,000
to
249,999
Size 7
Population
250,000
to
499,999
Size 8
Population
500,000
to
999,999
Size 9
Population
1,000,000 +
Notes on the Calculation of Age and Race‐ Specific Arrest Rates at the County, State, and National Level 1. County‐level Totals and Arrest Rates. Local agency data from the UCR Age, Sex, and Race file are combined to produce county‐level totals and arrest rates for the overall population. While the agency‐level file provides data on the number of blacks arrested by each agency, for example, it does not provide data on the local black population. However calculation of the arrest rate for blacks can take place at the county level through the use of Census Bureau data on county‐level populations. 2. State, and National Level Totals and Arrest Rates. County level data are combined to produce state, and national‐level totals of coverage populations and arrests by offense, providing a basis for calculating the arrest rate for the overall coverage population. 3. Demographic‐based Arrest Rates. The coverage population for Blacks in each region, for example, can be estimated using Census data on the overall Black population of the region. If Blacks comprise 65% of the population of a county, for example, these tables are based on the premise that Blacks also comprise 65% of the coverage population reported in the UCR data for that county. The estimation of the Black population within the overall coverage population provides a basis for calculating the arrest rates for Blacks in the region. 4. Coverage Indicators. A comparison of the coverage population of the reporting local agencies and the overall census population produces a coverage indicator indicating the extent the reported data represents a particular region and its diversity.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Page 3
The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics Connecticut Marijuana Arrests 1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
7,832
7,964
8,262
8,064
8,241
7,709
7,396
7,135
All
Arrests
All
Rate
All
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
All
Pct. Of All Arrests
Adult
Arrests
Adult
Rate
Adult
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
Adult
Pct. Of All Arrests
Juvenile
Arrests
Juvenile
Rate
57.50
58.49
60.24
56.81
55.21
47.28
49.25
42.68
Juvenile
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
8.80%
9.14%
9.54%
9.07%
9.57%
9.13%
9.22%
8.23%
Juvenile
Pct. Of All Arrests
1.00%
1.05%
1.09%
1.07%
1.13%
1.08%
1.10%
0.97%
239.15
243.25
252.66
246.30
251.10
226.36
215.94
206.18
36.59%
38.03%
39.99%
39.33%
43.51%
43.70%
40.42%
39.77%
4.16%
4.37%
4.56%
4.63%
5.12%
5.18%
4.83%
4.68%
5,946
6,049
6,290
6,205
6,429
6,099
5,709
5,658
181.56
184.76
192.35
189.52
195.89
179.09
166.68
163.50
27.78%
28.88%
30.45%
30.26%
33.94%
34.58%
31.20%
31.54%
3.16%
3.32%
3.47%
3.56%
3.99%
4.10%
3.73%
3.71%
1,883
1,915
1,970
1,860
1,812
1,610
1,687
1,477
Connecticut Marijuana Possession Arrests 1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
6,828
6,936
7,245
7,233
7,350
6,903
6,619
6,379
208.49
211.85
221.56
220.92
223.95
202.70
193.25
184.34
31.90%
33.12%
35.07%
35.28%
38.80%
39.13%
36.17%
35.56%
3.63%
3.81%
4.00%
4.15%
4.56%
4.64%
4.33%
4.18%
All
Arrests
All
Rate
All
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
All
Pct. Of All Arrests
Adult
Arrests
Adult
Rate
Adult
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
Adult
Pct. Of All Arrests
Juvenile
Arrests
Juvenile
Rate
50.08
50.43
53.03
50.61
49.79
42.40
44.29
38.92
Juvenile
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
7.66%
7.88%
8.39%
8.08%
8.63%
8.19%
8.29%
7.51%
Juvenile
Pct. Of All Arrests
0.87%
0.91%
0.96%
0.95%
1.01%
0.97%
0.99%
0.88%
2002
5,186
5,285
5,509
5,576
5,716
5,459
5,102
5,031
158.35
161.42
168.47
170.31
174.16
160.30
148.96
145.38
24.23%
25.24%
26.67%
27.20%
30.18%
30.95%
27.88%
28.05%
2.76%
2.90%
3.04%
3.20%
3.55%
3.67%
3.34%
3.30%
1,640
1,651
1,734
1,657
1,634
1,444
1,517
1,347
Connecticut Marijuana Sales Arrests 1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
All
Arrests
1,004
1,028
1,017
831
891
806
777
756
All
Rate
30.66
31.40
31.10
25.38
27.15
23.67
22.69
21.85
All
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
4.69%
4.91%
4.92%
4.05%
4.70%
4.57%
4.25%
4.21%
All
Pct. Of All Arrests
0.53%
0.56%
0.56%
0.48%
0.55%
0.54%
0.51%
0.50%
Adult
Arrests
Adult
Rate
Adult Adult Juvenile
Arrests
243
264
236
203
178
166
170
130
Juvenile
Rate
7.42
8.06
7.22
6.20
5.42
4.87
4.96
3.76
Juvenile
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
1.14%
1.26%
1.14%
0.99%
0.94%
0.94%
0.93%
0.72%
Juvenile
Pct. Of All Arrests
0.13%
0.14%
0.13%
0.12%
0.11%
0.11%
0.11%
0.09%
760
764
781
629
713
640
607
627
23.21
23.34
23.88
19.21
21.72
18.79
17.72
18.12
Pct. Of Drug Arrests
3.55%
3.65%
3.78%
3.07%
3.76%
3.63%
3.32%
3.50%
Pct. Of All Arrests
0.40%
0.42%
0.43%
0.36%
0.44%
0.43%
0.40%
0.41%
Page 4
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The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics Connecticut Marijuana Possession Arrests - 2002 Population
3,460,503
Coverage
100.00%
Poss. Max.
12
Sales Max.
84
Arrest Rate
Adults
White
Black
Indian
Asian
2000
199.91
Rate
150.44
454.10
44.35
19.52
months
2001
194.36
Arrest Pct.
57.09%
21.53%
0.08%
0.28%
months
2002
175.12
Pop. Pct.
65.08%
6.74%
0.23%
2.08%
Ratio
0.88
3.19
0.35
0.13 Asian
All
White
Black
Indian
Asian
Juveniles
White
Black
Indian
Rate
153.33
558.63
62.95
23.64
Rate
141.26
239.14
0.00
7.86
Arrest Pct.
73.63%
26.01%
0.08%
0.31%
Arrest Pct.
16.53%
4.48%
0.00%
0.03%
Pop. Pct.
85.53%
10.01%
0.33%
2.81%
Pop. Pct.
20.46%
3.27%
0.10%
0.74%
Ratio
0.86
2.60
0.24
0.11
Ratio
0.81
1.37
0.00
0.04
Total
Age 15-19
Age 20-24
Age 25-29
Age 30-34
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
Age 45-59
Age 50-54
Age 55-59
Age 60-64
Rate
992.34
824.34
370.33
180.48
128.81
86.05
47.54
25.05
12.30
7.08
Arrest Pct.
37.77%
27.24%
11.29%
7.06%
5.89%
4.17%
2.10%
0.96%
0.40%
0.17%
Pop. Pct.
6.67%
5.79%
5.34%
6.85%
8.01%
8.50%
7.72%
6.69%
5.64%
4.08%
Ratio
5.66
4.70
2.11
1.03
0.74
0.49
0.27
0.14
0.07
0.04
Male
Age 15-19
Age 20-24
Age 25-29
Age 30-34
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
Age 45-59
Age 50-54
Age 55-59
Age 60-64
Rate
1,658.48
1,417.27
641.69
319.22
223.78
143.33
78.72
41.90
24.46
10.43
Arrest Pct.
32.36%
23.88%
9.82%
6.14%
5.02%
3.42%
1.70%
0.78%
0.38%
0.12%
Pop. Pct.
3.42%
2.95%
2.68%
3.37%
3.93%
4.17%
3.78%
3.24%
2.72%
1.94%
Ratio
9.46
8.09
3.66
1.82
1.28
0.82
0.45
0.24
0.14
0.06
Female
Age 15-19
Age 20-24
Age 25-29
Age 30-34
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
Age 45-59
Age 50-54
Age 55-59
Age 60-64
Rate
291.75
207.77
96.76
46.43
37.51
30.75
17.61
9.22
0.99
4.05
Arrest Pct.
5.41%
3.37%
1.47%
0.92%
0.87%
0.76%
0.40%
0.18%
0.02%
0.05%
Pop. Pct.
3.25%
2.84%
2.66%
3.49%
4.08%
4.32%
3.94%
3.45%
2.92%
2.14%
Ratio
1.66
1.19
0.55
0.26
0.21
0.18
0.10
0.05
0.01
0.02
Total
Age 15
Age 16
Age 17
Age 18
Age 19
Age 20
Age 21
Age 22
Age 23
Age24
Rate
406.01
758.89
1,169.59
1,442.18
1,285.91
1,035.22
955.27
788.81
683.28
625.75
Arrest Pct.
3.32%
6.12%
8.71%
10.45%
9.17%
7.26%
6.49%
5.25%
4.39%
3.86%
Pop. Pct.
1.43%
1.41%
1.30%
1.27%
1.25%
1.23%
1.19%
1.16%
1.12%
1.08%
Ratio
2.32
4.33
6.68
8.24
7.34
5.91
5.46
4.50
3.90
3.57
Male
Age 15
Age 16
Age 17
Age 18
Age 19
Age 20
Age 21
Age 22
Age 23
Age24
Rate
682.18
1,283.69
1,924.73
2,359.53
2,206.85
1,822.63
1,655.94
1,315.02
1,173.20
1,052.52
Arrest Pct.
2.85%
5.30%
7.38%
8.83%
8.00%
6.52%
5.78%
4.47%
3.83%
3.28%
Pop. Pct.
0.73%
0.72%
0.67%
0.66%
0.64%
0.63%
0.61%
0.60%
0.57%
0.55%
Ratio
3.90
7.33
10.99
13.47
12.60
10.41
9.46
7.51
6.70
6.01
Female
Age 15
Age 16
Age 17
Age 18
Age 19
Age 20
Age 21
Age 22
Age 23
Age24
Rate
115.96
209.37
369.53
461.87
333.94
216.02
214.96
238.51
177.50
189.31
Arrest Pct.
0.46%
0.83%
1.34%
1.62%
1.17%
0.74%
0.71%
0.78%
0.56%
0.58%
Pop. Pct.
0.70%
0.69%
0.63%
0.61%
0.61%
0.60%
0.58%
0.57%
0.55%
0.53%
Ratio
0.66
1.20
2.11
2.64
1.91
1.23
1.23
1.36
1.01
1.08
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Page 5
The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics Connecticut Marijuana Sales Arrests - 2002 Population
3,460,503
Coverage
100.00%
Poss. Max.
12
Sales Max.
84
Arrest Rate
Adults
White
Black
Indian
Asian
2000
22.99
Rate
17.26
56.58
17.74
4.11
months
2001
22.82
Arrest Pct.
58.29%
24.02%
0.14%
0.42%
months
2002
20.63
Pop. Pct.
65.08%
6.74%
0.23%
2.08%
Ratio
0.90
3.56
0.61
0.20 Asian
All
White
Black
Indian
Asian
Juveniles
White
Black
Indian
Rate
18.43
73.37
12.59
4.17
Rate
13.56
22.06
30.01
3.93
Arrest Pct.
71.77%
27.53%
0.28%
0.56%
Arrest Pct.
13.48%
3.51%
0.14%
0.14%
Pop. Pct.
85.53%
10.01%
0.33%
2.81%
Pop. Pct.
20.46%
3.27%
0.10%
0.74%
Ratio
0.84
2.75
0.85
0.20
Ratio
0.66
1.07
1.40
0.19
Total
Age 15-19
Age 20-24
Age 25-29
Age 30-34
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
Age 45-59
Age 50-54
Age 55-59
Age 60-64
Rate
104.91
101.86
54.14
18.98
19.84
8.84
5.62
2.59
0.51
0.71
Arrest Pct.
33.89%
28.57%
14.01%
6.30%
7.70%
3.64%
2.10%
0.84%
0.14%
0.14%
Pop. Pct.
6.67%
5.79%
5.34%
6.85%
8.01%
8.50%
7.72%
6.69%
5.64%
4.08%
Ratio
5.08
4.93
2.62
0.92
0.96
0.43
0.27
0.13
0.02
0.03
Male
Age 15-19
Age 20-24
Age 25-29
Age 30-34
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
Age 45-59
Age 50-54
Age 55-59
Age 60-64
Rate
185.21
173.36
99.22
36.04
27.24
15.23
9.94
4.46
1.06
0.00
Arrest Pct.
30.67%
24.79%
12.89%
5.88%
5.18%
3.08%
1.82%
0.70%
0.14%
0.00%
Pop. Pct.
3.42%
2.95%
2.68%
3.37%
3.93%
4.17%
3.78%
3.24%
2.72%
1.94%
Ratio
8.97
8.40
4.81
1.74
1.32
0.74
0.48
0.22
0.05
0.00
Female
Age 15-19
Age 20-24
Age 25-29
Age 30-34
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
Age 45-59
Age 50-54
Age 55-59
Age 60-64
Rate
20.46
27.50
8.70
2.49
12.74
2.67
1.47
0.84
0.00
1.35
Arrest Pct.
3.22%
3.78%
1.12%
0.42%
2.52%
0.56%
0.28%
0.14%
0.00%
0.14%
Pop. Pct.
3.25%
2.84%
2.66%
3.49%
4.08%
4.32%
3.94%
3.45%
2.92%
2.14%
Ratio
0.99
1.33
0.42
0.12
0.62
0.13
0.07
0.04
0.00
0.07
Total
Age 15
Age 16
Age 17
Age 18
Age 19
Age 20
Age 21
Age 22
Age 23
Age24
Rate
52.52
69.55
101.90
159.48
152.64
96.46
109.38
104.18
100.18
98.94
Arrest Pct.
3.64%
4.76%
6.44%
9.80%
9.24%
5.74%
6.30%
5.88%
5.46%
5.18%
Pop. Pct.
1.43%
1.41%
1.30%
1.27%
1.25%
1.23%
1.19%
1.16%
1.12%
1.08%
Ratio
2.55
3.37
4.94
7.73
7.40
4.68
5.30
5.05
4.86
4.80
Male
Age 15
Age 16
Age 17
Age 18
Age 19
Age 20
Age 21
Age 22
Age 23
Age24
Rate
74.92
119.97
185.15
286.67
282.11
166.11
179.79
194.10
161.82
163.96
Arrest Pct.
2.66%
4.20%
6.02%
9.10%
8.68%
5.04%
5.32%
5.60%
4.48%
4.34%
Pop. Pct.
0.73%
0.72%
0.67%
0.66%
0.64%
0.63%
0.61%
0.60%
0.57%
0.55%
Ratio
3.63
5.81
8.97
13.89
13.67
8.05
8.71
9.41
7.84
7.95
Female
Age 15
Age 16
Age 17
Age 18
Age 19
Age 20
Age 21
Age 22
Age 23
Age24
Rate
28.99
16.75
13.69
23.56
18.81
24.00
34.99
10.15
36.54
32.45
Arrest Pct.
0.98%
0.56%
0.42%
0.70%
0.56%
0.70%
0.98%
0.28%
0.98%
0.84%
Pop. Pct.
0.70%
0.69%
0.63%
0.61%
0.61%
0.60%
0.58%
0.57%
0.55%
0.53%
Ratio
1.41
0.81
0.66
1.14
0.91
1.16
1.70
0.49
1.77
1.57
Page 6
www.norml.org
The NORML Almanac of State Marijuana Statistics Connecticut Marijuana Arrests by County Rank Population
Arrests
Arrest Rates
(Rates)
Size
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2002
Fairfield
8
1,381
1,289
1,096
1,106
1,080
165.49
158.04
127.96
128.39
122.90
6
Hartford
8
3,125
2,878
2,688
1,907
2,085
378.26
355.26
321.33
226.67
245.29
3
Litchfield
6
229
151
122
138
115
126.31
134.12
107.22
120.59
99.46
7 8
Middlesex
6
219
180
172
220
85
146.79
181.51
169.32
215.34
82.35
New Haven
8
2,232
1,894
1,605
1,761
1,605
281.40
252.14
206.66
225.46
203.38
4
New London
6
503
443
437
521
479
198.60
328.51
314.95
373.35
339.74
2
Tolland
4
239
215
225
213
168
182.19
531.60
568.66
535.26
417.87
1
Windham
4
136
102
100
85
74
129.21
261.24
253.52
214.26
184.63
5
8,064
8,241
7,709
7,396
7,135
246.30
251.10
226.36
215.94
206.18
State Total
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Page 7
