NCJ Number
151478
Date Published
1993
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Data from police records and undercover drug purchases formed the basis of this analysis of the price and purity of marijuana, cocaine, crack, and heroin in Maryland during the second half of 1992.
Abstract
Results revealed price stability in marijuana prices, a decline in cocaine prices, and increases in crack prices at many amounts. Comparative data were not available for heroin. The analysis also indicates that more marijuana is being grown indoors and that a shift may have occurred to out-of-State suppliers such as Texas, Arizona, and Mexico. Cocaine cartels are not dramatically increasing their production; some appear to be diversifying into other illicit drugs. The sharp price increase in April may be due to a severe disruption in supply. Increases in cocaine purity in three counties indicate a significant increase in cocaine availability. Tables, figures, and methodological information