Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Research how data are used in the criminal justice system with regard to the issue of marijuana legalization. Your discussion should include the following:

• The costs (time, wages, personnel allocation, logistics, and so forth) expended on processing suspected marijuana offenders through the court system.
• The costs (time, wages, personnel allocation, logistics, and so forth) dedicated to the imprisonment of convicted marijuana offenders.
• Investigate the crime rates in cities in which marijuana is legal. Compare that data with the crime rates in cities where marijuana remains illegal.
• Include your opinion on whether or not marijuana should be legalized and decriminalized.