From: 23x11.5c@gmail.com   
      
   Marijuana use reduces violent crime: Study   
   Mar 27, 2014, 01.30PM IST TNN[ Malathy Iyer ]   
      
   MUMBAI: The controversy over legalization of medical marijuana gets more   
   complex. A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas now says that   
   legalization of medical cannabis may be related to reductions in certain types   
   of crime. Many groups have    
   held that the trend in the US to allow marijuana clubs would increase crime   
   rates,especially robbery and assaults.    
      
   The study's lead author Dr Robert Morris said, "We're cautious about saying,   
   'Medical marijuana laws definitely reduce homicide.' That's not what we're   
   saying." The main finding is that there is no increase in crime rates   
   resulting from medical marijuana    
   legalization. ``In fact, we found some evidence of decreasing rates of some   
   types of violent crime, namely homicide and assault," he added.    
      
   The study, which was published in the journal PLOS ONE, tracked crime rates   
   across all 50 states between 1990 and 2006, when 11 states legalized marijuana   
   for medical use: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada,   
   Oregon, Rhode Island,   
    Vermont and Washington. Using crime data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report,   
   they studied rates for homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny and   
   auto theft, teasing out an effect for the passing of medical marijuana laws.   
   None of the seven    
   crime types increased with the legalization of medical marijuana.    
      
   The study found that robbery and burglary rates were unaffected by medical   
   marijuana legalization. A press release put out by the University of Texas   
   said, "These findings run counter to the claim that marijuana dispensaries and   
   grow houses lead to an    
   increase in victimization because of the opportunities for crime linked to the   
   amount of drugs and cash that are present."    
      
      
      
   http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Marijuana-use-reduces-violent-cr   
   me-Study/articleshow/32777752.cms   
      
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