The state could also see another $22.5 million in revenues from state and local sales taxes on marijuana and $12 million in law enforcement savings (Knowles 2013). The business of marijuana sales in Colorado is treated as is any other business. Since marijuana was legalized for medical use, those in the business of growing cannabis have created a stringent compliance structure that involves heavy security around the plants, inventory reports, and detailed delivery systems accounting for every gram of marijuana and every plant grown. This information is available to the Colorado authorities 24 hours a day. They are promoting compliance, transparency, and trust within the law enforcement community. Legalization of medical-use marijuana has resulted in an industry with over 4,000 employees, hundreds of whom are in six-figure jobs. Those who are involved in the growing and distribution of marijuana in Colorado pay a licensing fee of $18,000, which is then used to fund the special enforcement division (Dokoupil 2012). Harvard University economist Jeffrey Miron calculates that legalization of marijuana could save the U.S. at least $13 billion annually in law enforcement costs while generating more than $6.3 billion in revenue if it is taxed like cigarettes and alcohol (Martin 2009).
According to former San Jose Police Chief Joseph D. McNamara, marijuana prohibition is counterproductive to the mission of local law enforcement agencies. Enforcement of drug laws causes law enforcement officers to be more confrontational, preventing public trust. Police need citizens to report crimes, be witnesses, and believe testimony of the police when serving on juries. The continuous fight against marijuana causes law enforcement to alienate minority youths and communities. Chasing after pot smokers also diverts resources from pursuing predatory criminals ("Perils of Pot Prohibition" 2010). McNamara is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group started by retired law enforcement officials who have fought in the war on drugs and believe that war cannot be won (Martin 2009).
