Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2016

College/Unit

College of Business and Economics

Document Number

16-01

Department/Program/Center

Economics

Abstract

We consider the impact of adoption of a low priority initiative in some jurisdictions within Los Angeles County on police behavior. Low priority initiatives instruct police to make the enforcement of low level marijuana possession offenses their ``lowest priority.'' Using detailed data from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and a difference-in differences strategy, we show that the mandate resulted in a lower arrest rate for misdemeanor marijuana possession in adopting areas. However, the lower relative arrest rate is driven by a spike in the arrest rate in areas not affected by the mandate rather than a reduction in adopting areas.

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