Doubts Cast on Denver DA's Claims About Violence in Marijuana Industry

Bullshit called, really

Before Denver City Council's decision Monday to ask voters to approve a 5 percent sales tax for marijuana, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey held the floor and presented a startling statistic about the pot industry.

"We have had 12 homicides related directly to medical marijuana," Morrissey said. "We have had over 100 aggravated robberies and home invasions. Many of you probably didn't read about the double-execution-style homicide that we had here in Denver, where people were laid down on the floor and executed because they were running a medical marijuana outlet."

But on Tuesday, Morrissey said the numbers he presented the day before to the council were "loose figures" and none of the homicides was in an established medical marijuana facility.

Medical marijuana industry officials at Monday's meeting had been taken aback by Morrissey's statements.