The use of marijuana has
shown a two fold effect on the rate of crime. The first being the
act of legalizing allows drug possession charges to go down
dramatically. The other showing that the effect of the drug shows
less tendency to commit violent crimes.
Colorado is almost one year
into legalization of recreational use of marijuana. Millions of
dollars have been saved by removing criminal penalties to possession
of marijuana. Arrests for the possession of marijuana before
legalization were upwards of 10,000 arrests a year.(Source)
Colorado Center on Law & Policy projects a reduction in $12
million a year on criminal costs by legalizing marijuana. (Source)
With the state tax excised on sales and other factors for
legalization it is proposed to save upwards of $60 million for the
state of Colorado. (Source)
A Study done in 2010
researched the crime rates after legalization of marijuana. They
found that drug and property theft went up, while violent crime went
down. Rates for aggravated assault, robbery and homicide show a large
reduction in areas that legalize medical marijuana.(Source)
In 2010 a study was conducted to see if marijuana users were repeat
criminal offenders. The bulk of crime with the population was
related to illegal possession and distribution of marijuana, not with
any other crimes. By legalizing marijuana these crimes would cease
to exist. (Source)
Dispensaries are a common
target for theft and crime, in where they dispense large amounts of
cannabis and manage sales in cash. Dispensaries because of the
threat of theft implement security guards and camera surveillance
which in turn has shown to reduce crime in the immediate vicinity of
the dispensaries. (Source)
The presence of dispensaries has not shown any increase in property
theft or violent crime in the community. (Source)
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