75A - PH - MEDICAL MARIJUANA - PROHIBIT

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Medical Marijuana Dispensaries This report is respectfully presented to you with the following disclaimers; • This report does not attempt to address the merits of Medical Marijuana (MMJ) or the concept of its use as an alternative medicine as discussed or proposed in P TopGSitt011 215. This report contains compilations of data collected by others in Law Enfarcement as well as media coverage and this data is identified as such. Areas t11at currently act as a hindrance to a true study of this topic are; Under Reportini;: With few exceptions, agencies colltacted stated that they felt that t11e crimes related to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries were under reported, if reported at all. Confidential informants have provided information that these additional crimes (Robberies, Assaults and Burglaries involving Mari}uaila ar large amounts of cash) are not reported so as to not draw additional Law );nforcement and Media scrutiny to this very lucrative trade. This is not unlike the thought processes employed by the Cosa Nostra and organized street gangs here in California. Crime Classification: Another barrier to collection of this data is the lack of classification of this data as MMJ related. In years past, statistical analysis of domestic violence and hate crimes was difficult. These crimes now receive their own classifcation so tracking them is much. easier. However until such time as MMJ crimes receive their own classification, separating these crimes from non MM.J related crimes is very difficult. Over Reliance on Strai~'ht Statistical Data: Gathering statistical data on this topic would appear to be a simple task. One would Imagine that you would look at crime in a given location prior to the arrival of a MMJ Dispensary and then look at crime after its arrival. This presents several difficulties. First, based oil Internet research, there appears to be approximately 240 MMJ Dispensaries (www.canorml.or~) located in almost as many jurisdictions. No one agency can access data from. all these locations and not all agencies compile this data. I spoke with several agency representatives and each had information regarding this issue,llowever few 11ad specific crime statistics. Secondly, not all crimes related to MMJ take place in or around a dispensary. Some take place at the homes of the owners, employees or patrons. Lastly, not all the "secondary issues" related to MMJ Dispensaries are crimes. Loitering, additional vehicle and pedestrian traffic, use of MMJ at or near the facilities are described as quality of life issues and are oi11y really quantified when they appear in the newspaper or the complainants appear at a City Council meeting. Prior to discussing the reports of other Law Lnforcemen.t agencies, I would like to present some information from our Department. While our City does not currently have a MMJ Dispensary, this does not mean. that we are immune from their effects. EXHIBIT 2 75A-10