LaSalle Parish Sheriff Scott Franklin has been in opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana use for many years; he now has a study to back up his position.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for 33 years and I have seen first-hand the effects of marijuana use and it’s progression to harder drugs and illegal activities,” Franklin said. “It really is a gateway drug and while the national movement is to legalize it a recent study provides proof that this is not a good idea for society.”

The study was funded by Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain, who hired an independent psychology professional to interview inmates at the Grant Parish Detention Center from July through November of last year.

The results were astounding and showed a direct correlation between starting out using marijuana and eventually using harder drugs and committing crimes.

“Based on this research, the legalization of marijuana would increase crime rates,” Franklin noted. “This is not just one law officer’s opinion. This is based on hard facts that show without a doubt that legalizing marijuana would have detrimental consequences to society as a whole.”

The independent study interviewed offenders incarcerated at the Grant facility ranging in ages from 28-53. They were in jail for a variety of crimes and every participant admitted to using marijuana throughout most of their lives. Among the results of the study, the most glaring statistic showed that 100% of the offenders stated that drugs directly or indirectly led to their arrests.

The study also found:

• 64% said they began using marijuana before the age of 16.

• 64% said they believe marijuana is highly addictive.

• 82% were serving time for drug related charges.

• 82% said their drug use began with marijuana.

• 100% of offenders who started with using marijuana eventually went on to use harder drugs.

The research also showed a clear correlation between marijuana use and the progression of drug use.

It also suggests a correlation between marijuana use and other crimes such as thefts, burglaries, and crimes of violence.

“Based on this research, the legalization of marijuana would increase crime rate,” the study notes.

Sheriff Franklin and Sheriff McCain both said the study proves what they’ve known all along.

“Anyone that has been in law enforcement for any length of time can attest that the results of this study are accurate,” he said. “I’ve witnesses this play out in real lives of people right here in our parish. Good kids, from good homes, who just started out experimenting with marijuana and years later they would be serving time for crimes they committed. And it all began with marijuana.”

McCain noted that the reason he funded this research project was to demonstrate to everyone the devastating results of marijuana and to stop any efforts for its legalization.

“This project clearly shows what most law enforcement officials already knew,” McCain said. “Legalizing recreational marijuana will have a terrible outcome for Louisiana and our future.”

Franklin and McCain are joining forces, along with other sheriff’s, to inform the public of the dangers of legalizing recreational marijuana before the Legislature convenes for another session.

“We have reports that efforts are going to be underway to attempt to pass a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana,” Franklin said. “We’re asking the public to join with us in contacting Representatives and Senators to vote against any efforts to legalize marijuana.”

Last year a bill was introduced during a legislative session to legalize recreational marijuana but it failed. Some in Baton Rouge believe the bill’s author will attempt to bring it back before the legislature again this year at their next session.

“To make marijuana legal will be nothing short of inviting crime to our parish,” he concluded. “I love this area too much to not fight with all my might against any measure legalizing any narcotics.”