By: Diane Benjamin
Last night I attended a meeting discussing the effects legalizing marijuana has had on Colorado. It isn’t a pretty picture.
First, before anybody says it’s no different from alcohol: 1 beer doesn’t impair the user. One joint does. THC also stays in the blood stream for 2-3 days, alcohol doesn’t.
WAY too much data was presented based on this document: https://www.rmhidta.org/html/FINAL%202017%20Legalization%20of%20Marijuana%20in%20Colorado%20The%20Impact.pdf
Some of the big points:
- Employers can’t find employees who can pass drug tests
- Colorado still can’t balance its budget
- Impaired vehicle accidents are up – fatalities doubled from 2013-2016
- Use by those underage increased 12% – Colorado is now the #1 state for youths using, 55% higher than the national average
- College age users are 62% higher than the national average
- Adult use increased 71%
- Hospitalizations related to marijuana have doubled
- Babies born to mothers who use have smaller brains and heads
- 62% of all school expulsions or suspension were marijuana related
- THC levels continue to rise, some forms are 80%+. In the 70’s the levels were less than 5%
- Attempts to legislate THC levels were thwarted by the industry with payoffs
- Adults can have 5 plants each which produces a gray market that is never taxed
- Colorado quit tracking workplace injuries because of impairment
- Colorado has a total of 1004 Retail and Medical Dispensaries. They have 208 McDonald’s locations and 392 Starbucks
- Alcohol consumption has increased not decreased since legalization
- Imprisonment of minorities has not decreased, retail shops locate in their neighborhoods
- Cartel crime hasn’t decreased
- Homelessness has increased, 20-30% report moving to Colorado only to smoke weed
- THC is being extracted using butane, similar to meth labs – explosions are happening (Dabbing)
- “Dabbing” has led users to kill others or kill themselves
This is the short list!
Easy to read charts begin on PDF page 138. Case examples of investigations begin on PDF page 108.
At least 3 County Board members, one State rep, and one police officer attended.
County Board member Mark Johnson gave me this quote:
“This is incredible. With the information we heard tonight I can’t believe we are ever considering legalizing recreational marijuana. Everyone needs to read Jo’s report.”
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The speaker was Jo McGuire who travels nationwide presenting the facts. Learn more at her website realmarijuanafacts.org
66 percent of local jurisdictions in Colorado have banned medical and recreational marijuana businesses.
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Sure wish I knew about this meeting .Auto Insurance Companies are getting ahead of the curve and are raising rates because of this “coming” threat to public safety. We doubled our uninsured/under-insured liability portion of our policy for this reason. I have had face-to-face arguments with Jason Barrickman on this issue.
The event was live streamed on Facebook. You can see it here: https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisFamilyInstitute/videos/10155986379335973/?comment_id=10155987713755973¬if_id=1522942764636965¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic
No surprises here. But I’m so high I thought your blog was satire.
They have a big problem with State employees too – just like us.
Waste of resources. Imagine how many people Trump could send to secure the boarder if they didn’t have to chase around pot smokers. More jobs, more revenue, less opioid deaths, and more MILITIA to protect us from the evil Mexicans crossing our boarder!!!
check your facts, the police can’t keep up with calls in Colorado and opioid use didn’t go down. Colorado has to hire from out of state because they can’t find people to fill jobs that aren’t stoned.
I will respectfully disagree. Just because two statistics have correlation does not prove cause and effect. Other factors exist in Colorado such as population surge and 75 MPH speed limits. I just returned from a visit to Colorado to visit my uncle who is a cancer patient and medical marijuana user. I’m for freedom for adults. Not for the government to tell me what God given natural substances I as an adult can enjoy. Auto deaths went up when driving became legal. Ban the car? People who drive impaired for Any reason should face the consequences. Don’t take away my freedoms because of others stupidity. Most of this was anecdotal propaganda.
How many innocent lives can be offered up for your freedom? Read the case studies, this isn’t the marijuana just to mellow people out.
You sound much different when discussing gun control on which we agree. I’m very pro 2A.
I’m not a libertarian! Legalization is a social playground hoping the next generation isn’t too damaged when evidence exists it is happening.
THC stays in the body for 3 to 4 WEEKS. It takes that long to get a clean drug test. If we allow pot use, we should allow tobacco use again as you’re not under the influence if you drive while smoking, and they both lead to lung cancer!
I was just upset that Barickman announced his support of legalization the day after the filing deadline to run against him in the primary!
“1 beer doesn’t impair the user “.– Please provide your documentation of this “proof”
From the speaker last night, or ask anyone who has one beer. You won’t get a DUI from driving after 1
*fact not proof — apologies.
I am curious… were there any facts presented that support legalization? Was this a debate, was it balanced by anything, or was the purpose of the meeting’s general purpose to scare people away from legalizing it?
The speaker was there to present fact per the report based on the Colorado impact of legalization. Any state wanting to do the same needs to learn from their mistakes and be prepared for the consequences. It wasn’t a debate.
Marxism, sexual deviancy, white guilt and legalized drugs–that’s about all the ideas the Left have.
Legaize Marijuana? Think First! Fantastic article about Marijuana and what is happening in Colorado! As far as what Illinois wants to do, Money is theonly thing that is being looked at, not the well being of the citizens of Illinois!So, if you have a list of email address for the senators and congressmen/women in Illinois I would appreciate it ifyou would forward your article to all of them send it to me so that I can send your article to them as an Illinois concerned citizen and voter!Thank you so very much and keep up the good work!!!!!!
BHS was kind enough to compile a list when they wanted the kids to demand gun control. See it here: https://blnnewsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/emailing-take-action-4-sensible-gun-reform.pdf
I feel like going line by line to prove how misleading the way these statistics are presented. A quick internet search took care of some of it. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/legal-cannabis-colorado/
One problem – the 5 biggest school districts in the state did not participate in surveys of their kids. Also, 66 percent of the state did not approve medical or recreational use. That means only the places that did approve it can be surveyed. Besides, snopes is far from a good place to get info. They are referring to an editorial, not the 176 page report.
Snopes? Really? LMAO!
Some of these things are just flat out wrong and lies. I like the statement “Colorado still can’t balance their budget”. Really? This is because of pot and not liberal spending? Beer is stronger now let’s ban that. People wouldn’t just drink less lol. This is the worst article I have seen on here and I’m a long time reader.
Illinois wants to pass it for the money. It didn’t help Colorado, it won’t help Illinois either.
Look at the Colorado economy as a whole. The entire state is doing well. Real estate values are way up. Tax revenue from marijuana is big. This has nothing to do with a balanced budget. That is a politician fail just as it is here.
Do you know why Real Estate values are WAY up? I do!
80% THC levels!!! Certainly NOT in the cannabis plant. In extracts, yes. A lot of these “facts” sound like they came from the government union goons whose jobs would be lost with legalization. The nation is still waiting for the first death from a cannabis overdose.
They have plants up to around 30% with 4 harvests a year. They also have mold growing in houses because indoor cultivation requires heat, light, and humidity.
If you study the history of the 18th and 21st amendment you will realize that legalization is inevitable. Just like we have dry counties now some areas will always make it illegal. As we do with the second amendment we should discuss how we as a society can be responsible with this freedom. Not discussing it’s demonizarion. We should be past the days of reefer madness propaganda. You can’t legislate morality.
THC levels need to be regulated, Colorado will never be able to regulate their’s. Real Estate is up because sellers can’t put their money in banks so they invest in real estate instead. I know a lady renting a tiny apartment in Denver for $2000 a month. Want un-affordable housing here?
A friend in Denver bought a house five years ago. It has trippled in value. As the owner of a large home I absolutely want this (sarcasm lol)
Good point!
Time out! You’re all missing a HUGE point! Currently there are many states that once they legalize medical marijuana and you get your drug card, you give up your 2nd Amendment rights. If ya’ all think any of these politicians, especially the libs are doing it for a good reason, that’s your first mistake. Keep you’re guard up, always!
The State of Illinois has enough impaired and/or stupid people on the roads. Why add more?
Mike says:
Some of these things are just flat out wrong and lies. I like the statement “Colorado still can’t balance their budget”. Really? This is because of pot and not liberal spending? Beer is stronger now let’s ban that. People wouldn’t just drink less lol. This is the worst article I have seen on here and I’m a long time reader.
AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT,
I completely concur. I have been a long time reader, subscriber and for a long time a financial supporter of this blog. I don’t agree with all that you post. I have been flat out upset by a few that involved people I am close with but I’ve never spoken out here because I always knew where you were coming from even when we may have disagreed.
I opened this up today and wondered if you’d been hacked! I have always thought of you (maybe not correctly?) as an independent thinking, small government, less regulation, live and let live, kind of person.
I understand that this is an opinion blog, not an official news blog… but Diane, you’ve not presented ANYTHING here except REEFER MADNESS type of hype. Are there downfalls? Sure. Are there some facts in the all negative points you listed? Yes. Are some of the things YOU typed totally misleading? YES! (Example #1 that BLEW ME AWAY… Dabs are causing people to kill themselves and others)
I emailed your blog to a very good friend that works in the industry in Colorado and she is working on gathering some of the “OTHER FACTS” for you, fully sourced. I hope you will share those with your readers as well. If not, I hope you will remain open minded to enough to consider other points of view and ALWAYS remember how so many facts can be spun to fit an agenda.
Thank you
The document sources everything I wrote. Questions need to be asked and answered before Illinois waltzes into a name nightmare. If your source works in the industry ask them why they block regulating THC levels. I’m not a libertarian, limited government doesn’t mean none.
http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5571976?access=271bc4bd30590a3723082980c3da7fef
It might source everything but conclusions are anecdotal or incorrect interpretations of statistics. We did a case study in my statistics class using global carbon emissions compared to life expectancy. There was direct correlation. The more pollution in the air the longer people live. But did the pollution lead to longer life? Is it better to have more pollution so people will live longer? I’m curious if any of this “research” was funded by pharmaceutical companies.
Go here to find out: https://rmhidta.org/default.aspx?menuitemid=781&menugroup=RMHIDTA+Public+Overview
The 176 page propaganda piece has statistics and sources. But the statistics are not directly sourced. https://www.factcheck.org/2016/08/unpacking-pots-impact-in-colorado/ This explains some of
The problems with their statistics and conclusions. Are more people testing positive because more people are being tested? Conclusions are drawn when they can’t be proven. Just a hypothesis. Also most statistics are totals and not a rate compared to total population. Total population is up roads are more crowded.
Didn’t the website say this same report has been done for 5 years of I remember right? Maybe they are building on previous data.
Yes this government funded propaganda piece has been done for five years. The government keeps good climate data too right? That has been proven wrong. This was written with bias. You can make statistics prove any point. There are lies, damn lies, and statistics. I will default to freedom without better evidence as there is with opioids. Heck even alcohol is more dangerous and destructive.
The moment we allowed the State to dictate what we can or cannot put into our bodies; what we can and cannot do with our bodies, is the moment we ceded all control over our bodies to the State.
As an Anarch, I find this totally repugnant.
If one cares at all for individual freedoms, so should you.
Ironic. The Pantagraph did this story too except they at least mentioned the positives Of legalization although they claim they are overstated. Mark Johnson desperately tries to post a link to the government propaganda piece. First time the Pantagraph has done a better job reporting.
Are you high now?
Personal attack. Liberal move. I was debating the issue presenting some facts you chose to leave out. I’m done here. Nice work up to this point but you are way off the rails with this one.
I’m going to take a wild guess here and note that many folks who are against legalizing pot have either never tried it and cannot comprehend due to lack of experience or have some financial aspects to lose as that is usually the case. Just sayin’.
Nope. What is on the market now is NOT to same stuff from years ago. Anything over 5% THC is addictive. Why we would want a legal substance that turns people into non-productive citizens and addicted?
“Anything over 5% THC is addictive”. Could you source this? No you can’t because it’s a false statement. Please stick to topics you have real knowledge on and don’t just peddle government propaganda. We should make the internet illegal. It is way stronger and more pervasive than before. Cars are faster. Ban them. Let’s take all freedoms away. Keep everyone safe and productive. No I’m not “high” just highly educated on this and many other personal freedom topics.
You obviously want it legalized regardless of the side effects or cost to society. Law enforcement already treats small amounts like a traffic ticket. That quote was from the presentation. Do you want to pay the potential healthcare cost of people who used without knowing the facts?
From the National Institute of Drub Abuse: In the early 1990s, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples was roughly 3.8 percent. In 2014, it was 12.2 percent. The average marijuana extract contains more than 50 percent THC, with some samples exceeding 80 percent. These trends raise concerns that the consequences of marijuana use could be worse than in the past, particularly among those who are new to marijuana use or in young people, whose brains are still developing
Yeah, no kidding, Big Pharma already fills that roll and they don’t want any competition!
Confiscated implies products purchased on the black market. When it is legal you know exactly what you are buying and how much thc is in the product. More people have died from synthetic marijuana in Illinois in the last week than in the history of real marijuana. If you were a medical patient you would feel quite different about it’s benefits. As with all freedoms responsibility is required or there are consequences.
As someone who has lived in several places in Colorado, I can promise any and all readers that, as usual, Diane Benjamin is completely full of shit. You can quote me on that, any time, any place.
They can’t quote you since you were too chicken to use your real name! Thanks for playing.
On this one she is. A story that is single sourced using a government propaganda piece with no push back or contradicting sources. Search cbd oil and seizures. You will find many people moved to Colorado to gain access to the Charlotte’s Web strain. A child that was six went from having 50-60 seizures a day dropped to 2-3 per day using this oil. Nothing the pharmaceutical companies or the many specialists consulted could come close to providing the relief that this plant did. Someone has been brainwashed on this one. Almost thought the account was hacked. Way below normal standards for this site. As I mentioned earlier it’s the first time the Pantagraph has done a better job reporting that I can remember.
If you want to jump into legal pot without doing ANY research, go for it. Call your State reps and demand a vote.
Just want a fair representation of the facts. I’ve done the research. What I have been trying to point out is you have not. Find another source. The one you posted is propaganda filled with misleading and inaccurate statements. They are presenting opinions as facts. Their Objective is to demonize not inform. It is truly a modern day equivalent of “reefer madness”.
I’m sure all the case studies were made up too. It’s not my job to present facts that weren’t presented at the meeting I attended. What you call misleading the people who experienced legalization themselves call accurate.
http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5571976?access=271bc4bd30590a3723082980c3da7fef
Diane, I think you were suckered into the propaganda. These statistics are shit and there is no way you actually read all 176 pages in one day. I smoke weed. I have a good driving record aside from a fender bender when I was 17. I function as a responsible, productive member of society. Knock off this Reefer Madness bullshit and educated yourself. Maybe if you got high once in a while you wouldn’t be such an uptight butthole when it comes to personal freedom to enjoy a plant made by God. Everything you are saying is objectively untrue and even many of your own readers are against you on this one. To support the continued criminalization of marijuana costs you way more as a tax payer than the mayor’s downtown dinner, or food assistance for the poor, or any of the other dumb shit you get fanatical about.
http://www.coloradopotguide.com/colorado-marijuana-blog/amp/19374/anti-marijuana-propaganda-the-devils-in-the-details/
Another good rebuttal. I specifically like the statistics comparing children’s accidental pot exposure to tide pod consumption.