I read both articles and they don’t link the increased crime rate to weed. Looks like a correlation vs causation thing.
I’m sure crime rates in NYC and Baltimore are also up but for other reasons.
The stats are describing only crimes related to that specific drug as related to that drug’s introduction.
This means the ancillary issues, secondary factors and causes, that follow the drug aren’t properly tied.
It like a casino goes into a nice quiet place with low crime, and crime shoots up. The casino wasn’t robbed, so no crime increase is attributed to the gambling. However, prostitution, drugs, theft, rape—these all went up . Why? Because there are activities that follow activities and attempt to take advantage of the “opportunities.”
It’s as plain as day.