LETTERS

Legalization of marijuana won‘t lead to increased crime

Posted 4/7/15

To the Editor:

I work with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group of criminal justice professionals opposed to the war on drugs. As a retired Denver police lieutenant with more than …

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LETTERS

Legalization of marijuana won‘t lead to increased crime

Posted

To the Editor:

I work with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group of criminal justice professionals opposed to the war on drugs. As a retired Denver police lieutenant with more than 36 years of experience, I can assure Rhode Islanders that your cops will not experience some sort of catastrophic marijuana overload as a result of legalization. The violent crime rate and traffic fatalities in Colorado have both decreased.  

If anything, we’re living in a marijuana Hades right now. Gangs and cartels share market control, which sends billions of dollars in profits away from the local economy and into the hands of ruthless drug lords. Children can buy marijuana without anyone asking for proof of age, and the attention of law enforcement is diverted away from far more important matters. Marijuana prohibition clogs the justice system with otherwise innocent people, and costs taxpayers significantly on enforcement and incarceration.

Perhaps the officers who heard Colorado cops are dealing with “hell” are referencing that the police departments there now have to face true crimes, for which there is actually a victim. Surely, tracking down rapists and murderers or, more specifically,  protecting their communities from danger, requires a little more sleuthing and attention to detail than hassling every nonviolent marijuana smoker who happens to cross their path.

Citizens do have a choice in how law enforcement serves their communities and it is time to take a hard look at how effective various law enforcement activities really are.

Tony Ryan

Sahuarita, AZ 

Lieutenant Tony Ryan was a Denver police officer for 36 years and now works with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a group of law enforcement professionals who want to end the prohibition of marijuana. 

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    So Tony, tell me....how does legalizing marijuana stop the gangs from selling it? My understanding is that there are still gangs and drug dealers in Colorado. They don't have to pay taxes on the marijuana they sell so they can sell it cheaper than the government approved stores. LEAP is full of cops who are mentally wounded from working undercover too long or they are just plain dumb. When the state legalized gambling, did the mob go away? Where prostitution is legal in the country, did the illegal prostitution go away? Anyone with any common sense can tell you that the illegal drug dealers will not disappear but pot smoking cops will feel better about themselves when pot is legalized.

    Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Report this

  • The Berg

    Davebarry109, just because something is legal doesn’t mean there won’t be those who try to game the system. Cannabis fully legalized would mean homeowners like me could grow it on my own property without fear of legal repercussion.

    And who honestly buys marijuana from the mob or gangs in Rhode Island? Is that where you believe it comes from? Ridiculous.

    Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Report this

  • Duncan2003

    daveberry109 I've got to admit that I really hadn't thought about that. While you make some compelling arguments I'm pretty sure you're mistaken. I’d really like to discuss your arguments face to face. Can we meet to have a friendly debate about your position over a glass of bathtub gin at your local Capone's Speakeasy? Email me and we'll set up a meet. I'll even pick up the tab!

    Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Report this

  • davebarry109

    The Berg.....the mob controls gambling, prostitution and the illicit drug trade at its higher levels. The baggie of dope you buy from your local dealer is brought into the state via organized criminals. You are either completely ignorant or have not read the appropriate news stories.

    Duncan2003, I don't meet druggies face to face unless I'm arresting them. I don't have drinks with them either. Give up pot. Your brain will work better.

    Friday, April 10, 2015 Report this

  • The Berg

    Davebarry109, once again your lack of understanding is apparent, and scary if indeed you are employed in law enforcement. My “baggie of dope” was grown in the confines of the state of Rhode Island, more local than any coffee you’d consume on duty, by people with no ties to organized crime whatsoever. Most connoisseurs prefer to know what they’re buying and from whom.

    Those like me who no longer want our tax dollars funding arrests or incarcerations of law abiding cannabis users also seriously wonder how much it will cost to retrain law enforcement officials with poor attitudes such as yours.

    Keep looking for your organized crime, higher level “Big Fish,” which are schooling under me somewhere.

    The Berg

    Saturday, April 11, 2015 Report this

  • bendover

    Mr. Ryan discloses he is part of a "group" LEAP wishing to end the prohibition of marijuana. Is he, or any member of his "group" a paid lobbyist? If you don't know the difference between a gang and a cartel, you best get up to speed. Much of the marijuana and cocaine that comes into the USA is controlled by the Mexican mafia and its street level muscle and distribution network MS-13. This is not to say there is not an unholy alliance with other criminal networks, including the Russian mobsters. All of these so called advocates for decriminalization and creating cottage industries of growers and selling kiosks aren't telling you they have helped turn heroin into the drug of choice based upon price and availability. The Health department stats are there, the director has talked about it but the media for the most part has dropped the ball covering this story....Potential advertising and revenue considerations now trumps news gathering and journalism. So for all those who think marijuana is a harmless drug, a cash cow, a tax revenue source, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. While you are at it, why not put a price tag on a human life because that is what this has degenerated to, a cost/benefit analysis for a few wealthy, connected people who want to jump on the bandwagon, the consequences be damned.

    Tuesday, April 14, 2015 Report this