The Nebraska Center for Justice Research at the University of Nebraska – Omaha recently completed a study on the number of marijuana related arrests since it was legalized in Colorado. Director Ryan Spohn says they looked at 2009 data to get a better idea of the statistics before marijuana was legalized next door.
The report shows that overall increases in the rate of marijuana possession arrests have been more substantial than increases in the rate of sale or manufacturing arrests. The state’s marijuana arrest rate increased by about 11% between 2013 and 2014.
The study shows that Nebraska spent an estimated $10.2-million on enforcement of marijuana laws in 2014 – an 11.6% increase from dollars spent in 2013. Counties along I-80 were responsible for the majority of the increase.
