Grand Rapids Decriminalization: No Spike in Cases

The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan decriminalized marijuana possession, effective May 1, 2013. One argument against the city’s decision was that it would lead to a rise in use. Police data from May 1 to July 22 of 2012 showed 259 marijuana cases. The same time frame this year showed 266. The biggest difference between those 2 numbers is the fact that of the 266, all but 22 were issued citations instead of criminal charges.