Community Corner
Legalized Cannabis and Its Impact on Public Safety According to Colorado Police Chiefs
A Practical Guidebook to Help Local Law Enforcement and Communities as Legalized Marijuana Laws Take Effect
The Alameda school board will be voting on Tuesday (9/26) on a resolution asking the City to consider the needs of youth as they consider allowing marijuana dispensaries in Alameda. The resolution is asking that the city adopt a 1,000 feet buffer zone and fund marijuana prevention education.
Many California cities have been struggling to regulate cannabis and this excellent practical guide for police on how to handle legal marijuana -- based on extensive interviews with Colorado police chiefs provides some excellent information on what communities should be on the lookout for as it will be legal for anyone 21 or over to purchase marijuana after Jan. 1, 2018 in California. One of the unforeseen consequences of legalization in Colorado has been an influx of young adult homeless who have migrated to Colorado seeking employment in the cannabis industry. (page 20)
The chapter on marijuana's effect on children and youth begins on page 29.
Find out what's happening in Alamedafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The guidebook also covers emergency hospitalizations and traffic issues.
Here's a description/background on the guidebook:
Find out what's happening in Alamedafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Overview: Marijuana legalization in Colorado has posed significant challenges for law enforcement resulting, stemming from the unanticipated consequences it has had on crime and public safety. Colorado law enforcement formed diverse partnerships to address the difficulties caused by conflicting state legislation and local ordinances, policies, and procedures. The situation was even more complex because marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. The Police Foundation partnered with the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police to produce a guidebook illustrating the challenges in policing legalized marijuana and the law enforcement practices that have been most successful in Colorado.
Colorado's Legalization of Marijuana and the Impact on Public Safety is posted here: https://www.nccpsafety.org/assets/files/library/Legalized_Marijuana_Practical_Guide_for_Law_Enforcement.pdf
