ACLU: Steep drop in pot cases has freed up resources

[n2doc]

A steep drop in charges filed against adults over 21 in Washington state after legalization of marijuana shows the new law is freeing up court and law-enforcement resources to deal with other issues, a primary backer of the law said Wednesday.

The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) found that such low-level charges were filed in just 120 cases in 2013, down from 5,531 cases the year before.

“The data strongly suggest that I-502 has achieved one of its primary goals — to free up limited police and prosecutorial resources,” Mark Cooke, criminal-justice policy counsel with the state ACLU, said in a news release.

Ian Goodhew, deputy chief of staff at the King County Prosecutor’s Office, said that hasn’t been the case in his office. He said prosecutors handled only a few misdemeanor pot cases a day before the law went into effect.

more

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023173625_potresourcesxml.html

[okaawhatever]

1. It will be interesting to see if this has a longer term effect of reducing crime. nt

[Bonx]

2. Excellent ! -nt

[SomethingFishy]

3. WOW.. None of us saw that coming!

I predict legal Cannabis in every state in the union within 10 years.

I also predict many more stories like the ones that followed Colorado's roll out. "37 people die from Marijuana Overdoses".. "Pot related car accidents increase in the first week of pot sales! Crime rises!

The stink of desperation is upon them

[PeoViejo]

4. The Prison Industrial Complex is very concerned

that they will be housing hardened Felons instead.

[SomethingFishy]

5. The DEA is getting nervous as well...

Budget cuts are coming!

[RainDog]

6. k&r n/t

[jsr]

7. Recommend

[progressoid]

8. who wudda thunk it?

[Zorra]

10. Yeh, huh? Who knew! Every bit as surprising as the sun coming up tomorrow. nt

[fleabiscuit]

9. Hmm, Ian Goodhew >

"... said prosecutors handled only a few misdemeanor pot cases a day before the law went into effect.

Interesting attitude. What's a few? Say 5 per work day would be just be 1,300 cases a year. Why should he worry about 1,300 lives being disrupted for bullshit.

F'er.

[jtuck004]

11. And, when they find that the too hi taxes are keeping a healthy and thriving undergound

in business, one that has been healthy and thriving for decades, one place they could look to trim is the part that was dedicated to the "expected need for an increase in law enforcement because of the legalization of marijuana".