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Green Bay police report a 51 percent increase in citations for possession of marijuana over last year's numbers.

Police issued 256 citations for possession of marijuana as of Aug. 9 this year, according to police records. Last year at this time, they had issued 169 citations.

"It doesn't surprise me," said Lt. David Poteat of the Brown County Drug Task Force.

Poteat said agents have seen an increased amount of marijuana on the streets at lower prices.

Authorities arrested 12 people last week and destroyed 10,000 marijuana plants in connection with a massive marijuana-growing operation in Oconto and Menominee counties. A home at 969 Howard St. in Green Bay is linked to the operation, and authorities executed a search warrant Wednesday.

Officials can't explain the increase but attribute it in part to accessibility, cost and social acceptance.

Marijuana can grow locally outdoors, so it's easily accessible, Poteat said. And because it can be grown practically anywhere, it's difficult to stop production, said De Pere Police Chief Derek Beiderwieden.

Marijuana is cheaper than trending drugs, such as ecstasy or crystal meth.

And increased social acceptance has fueled its use, Director Eric Dunning of Ashwaubenon Public Safety said.

The drug might be entering the county from Canada and Mexico, or from states that have legalized medical marijuana, such as Colorado and California, Poteat said.

Last year, half of the 951 drug-related charges filed in Brown County involved marijuana. District Attorney John Zakowski said comparable statistics for 2008 were unavailable because the county has inadequate staff to compile data.

City of De Pere numbers were not immediately available, but Beiderwieden said the department has seen a "substantial increase" in possession of marijuana citations.

A first offense carries a $366 fine under the city's municipal ordinance, including court costs. A first offense in Green Bay carries an $870 fine.


NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Oshkosk Northwestern
Author: Charles Davis
Contact: Oshkosk Northwestern
Copyright: 2010 Oshkosk Northwestern
Website: Marijuana possession citations up in Green Bay area


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