This guest opinion was written by Barbara LaWall, Pima County attorney: What specific, documented evidence exists that crime actually increased as a result of medical marijuana dispensaries? Mix a lot of cash with a lot of drugs, add in guns and no regulatory controls, and you have a prescription for crime and disaster. According to the California Chiefs of Police Association, marijuana dispensaries are magnets for crime and criminals. Los Angeles Police Department Detective Dennis Parker states the Los Angeles Police Department has experienced a 200 percent increase in robberies, 52.2 percent increase in burglaries, 57 percent increase in aggravated assaults and 130.8 percent increase in auto burglaries near cannabis clubs. [continues 245 words]
