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Monday, January 13th, 2014

Marijuana Case Filings Plummet in Colorado Following Legalization

Author:     JOHN INGOLD
Source:     The Denver Post
Publication Date:     01/12/2014 12:01:00 AM MS
 Link: Marijuana Case Filings Plummet in Colorado Following Legalization
Stephan:   This is very good news, although this is a rather snarky article. I am using it because it is the best one I have seen in terms of the basic facts. Quite predictably, but now validated with real data, we see a benefit arising from the end of Marijuana Prohibition in Colorado. It is going to save the state tens of millions of dollars and, long term considering incarceration billions. And that to say nothing of the blatant racism inherent to Prohibition. You have probably noticed that SR has had a number of Marijuana stories, and wonder why? The answer is Marijuana Prohibition, like the Alcohol Prohibition that preceded it is a very negative trend that affects in bad way the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year. And unlike climate change which will take years of remediation a failed social program like prohibition can be changed quickly, by changing law.

Charges for all manner of marijuana crimes plummeted in the months after Colorado voters legalized limited possession of cannabis for people over 21.

According to a Denver Post analysis of data provided by the Colorado Judicial Branch, the number of cases filed in state court alleging at least one marijuana offense plunged 77 percent between 2012 and 2013. The decline is most notable for charges of petty marijuana possession, which dropped from an average of 714 per month during the first nine months of 2012 to 133 per month during the same period in 2013 – a decline of 81 percent.

That may have been expected – after all, people over 21 can now legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana. But The Post’s analysis shows state prosecutors also pursued far fewer cases for marijuana crimes that remain illegal in Colorado.

For instance, charges for possessing more than 12 ounces of marijuana dropped by 73 percent, and cases alleging possession with intent to distribute fewer than 5 pounds of marijuana dipped by 70 percent. Even charges for public consumption of marijuana fell statewide, by 17 percent, although Denver police have increased their number of citations issued for public consumption.

While marijuana prosecutions against […]

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