The operation of medical cannabis dispensaries is not associated with increases in either violent crime or property crime, according to the findings of a discussion paper published by the IZA Research Institute.

Researchers affiliated with the RAND Corporation investigated whether the establishment of medical cannabis dispensaries in California affects local crime rates – including rates of violent crimes, property crimes, and substance abuse crimes.

Authors “found no evidence that ordinances allowing for medical marijuana dispensaries lead to an increase in crime. In fact, we see some evidence of a reduction in property crimes.”

RAND’s investigators concluded: “Our study appears to reinforce the conclusions from other studies that fail to find an increase in the type of crime predicted by law enforcement. We find no effects on burglary, robberies, or assaults, which are the types of crimes one would expect if dispensaries were prime targets as a result of their holding large amounts of cash. … Our findings suggest that it is possible to regulate these markets and find a common ground between safety and access to medical marijuana.”

See the original article at The Daily Chronic