KENNEWICK, Wash. -

More crimes are linked to people with medical marijuana cards. Police say they're seeing more drug related crimes since people started using medical marijuana cards. They say abusing access to the drug has led to an increase in crime in our area. The criteria to get a medical marijuana card is fairly vague. Along with a lot of serious illnesses a wide variety of pain can qualify.

Police have noticed the boost since day one. Kennewick Police Sgt. Ken Lattin says there has been an increase in crime in several categories. "We've seen an increase and we know we would in thefts, in burglaries, home invasion robberies," said Lattin.

Recently there was a drug bust at a home on Davenport Street in Richland where 9.5 lbs of pot was found and 2 people were arrested. Then there was house off East Perkins road in Finley where 5 men were arrested and 12 lbs of marijuana was found with other drugs. What these cases have in common is someone had a medical marijuana card.

Richland Police Capt. Mike Cobb says "one of the problems with people if you do have a card that doesn't give you the prerogative to sell marijuana to other people or to possess more than the law allows you to possess."

Home invasion robberies have happened in our area from people who have medical marijuana. One incident was at an apartment building on North Arthur Street and another on 3rd Avenue in Kennewick. People were tied up and their medication was stolen.

Police say as long as the cards are out there will still be problems. They are concerned if the drug becomes legal in Washington for recreational use we could see an even bigger problem with people driving under the influence of marijuana.

http://www.kndo.com/story/16927363/more-crimes-are-linked-to-people-with-medical-marijuana-cards