Rise of Crime with Pot Growers?
There has been a number of articles relating an increase in crime against growers/sellers of marijuana in the 15 states that have “decriminalized” it. Two of the articles attribute this to typical drug rivalries with gangs of Mexicans or Chinese mentioned. But are the data there?
Could DEA agents or local drug teams be staging these assaults to get the return this plant to illegal status? The article told that the proponents of decriminalization argue lower crime, but the law enforcement is proclaiming an large increase?
The police authorities have a vested interest to bust the growers since they once could obtain sums of money by forfeiture or seizure of criminal profits with little need of proof of guilt. Cities depended on these funds. A loss of such a large revenue stream would encourage many PD to look the other way in investigation. Does anyone see merit in requesting an investigation of this sort? The media is playing the increase crime in state of “legalization” to the hilt in still illegal states. FUD is being used during this political season.
There was an AP story.
A WSJ story but you’ll need to be a subscriber
and this NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/us/17marijuana.html
You need to add some details in this. Some links, what states? All I see is an anti marijuana person fighting the legalization of pot.
Interesting theory, very difficult to prove or disprove. Cash forfeitures since deemed legal in the 1980’s has been a known source of police funds. CBS even did a 60 minutes on this in some OK town.
Legal THC is too new to garner the media’s attention since they do not yet know where their bread is buttered in this new reality. There will always be tension between suppliers of goods and taxing agents (police, competitors, etc) I would expect a new round of movie plots.
Perhaps the only rogue agencies that never gets reviews by the media is the BATFE, they have shot civilians, burnt children to a crisp and no one was ever prosecuted — They can do anything since they collect cash for their sponsors.
Of course its all a big conspiracy. What better way to deflect from the fact that legalization doesn’t work than to blame the authorities of bogus crime stats. What entitlement program do you want to cut so there can be an investigation by a ‘totally impartial’ blue ribbon commission. You people are desperate. Have a good day now