CLEARING THE HAZE: Colorado newspapers exposé of failures of state's 'legal pot' law

[Viligant_Warrior]

When I lived in Colorado Springs earlier this century, The Gazette was a liberal paper. It constantly decried the actions of the conservative majority that represented that part of the state in the legislature, and the small majority that clung to leadership in the county legislature and on the city council. So when I heard about this series, I was blown away. The liberals who voted for Colorado's pot law are waking up to the fact the "pot lobby" lied to them from Day One about the direct results of legalizing marijuana.

The Gazette kicks off a four-day perspective series ... that examines health, social, regulatory and financial issues associated with the world's boldest experiment with legal marijuana.

"... The ugly truth is that Colorado was suckered. It was promised regulation and has been met by an industry that fights tooth and nail any restrictions that limit its profitability." [Ben Cort, Director of Professional Relations for the Center for Addiction Recovery and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Hospital]

Among the failed promises of the "pot lobby":
More stringent regulation -- As Cort says in the article, the industry fights tooth and nail, usually successfully, to avoid stringent regulation.
Marijuana taxes would finance education, health care: So far, the taxes collected from legalized marijuana haven't even paid for the regulation of legalized marijuana.
Legalization would keep people out of prison: Anyone should have known the truth about this before the vote two years ago, that very few are in prison for simple possession and use. Marijuana may be a factor in some people's incarceration, but it is rarely the main reason, which is usually burglary, robbery, dealing, etc.
Legalization would stem heavy use: Again, anyone should have known this was a lie, and what The Gazette found in its investigative reporting was that more than twice the number of teens and even pre-teens are now using marijuana because it is readily available to legal buyers who then sell it to kids illegally.

Legalized marijuana may sound like a "great idea," but as the "Clearing the Haze" series proves, it's a joke of tragic proportions.

 

[Bushido8000]

When I lived in Colorado Springs earlier this century, The Gazette was a liberal paper. It constantly decried the actions of the conservative majority that represented that part of the state in the legislature, and the small majority that clung to leadership in the county legislature and on the city council. So when I heard about this series, I was blown away. The liberals who voted for Colorado's pot law are waking up to the fact the "pot lobby" lied to them from Day One about the direct results of legalizing marijuana.

Among the failed promises of the "pot lobby":
More stringent regulation -- As Cort says in the article, the industry fights tooth and nail, usually successfully, to avoid stringent regulation.
Marijuana taxes would finance education, health care: So far, the taxes collected from legalized marijuana haven't even paid for the regulation of legalized marijuana.
Legalization would keep people out of prison: Anyone should have known the truth about this before the vote two years ago, that very few are in prison for simple possession and use. Marijuana may be a factor in some people's incarceration, but it is rarely the main reason, which is usually burglary, robbery, dealing, etc.
Legalization would stem heavy use: Again, anyone should have known this was a lie, and what The Gazette found in its investigative reporting was that more than twice the number of teens and even pre-teens are now using marijuana because it is readily available to legal buyers who then sell it to kids illegally.

Legalized marijuana may sound like a "great idea," but as the "Clearing the Haze" series proves, it's a joke of tragic proportions.

*posts obvious biased article*

* POSTS AN ARTICLE UNDER DONOTLINK.COM (for those who don't know, people use donotlink.com to catagorize false blogs, scams, spam, conspiracy theories, and disinformation, so as not to bump it in a search engine*

Sorry but the post is a biased tinfoil article

 

[Oncefallen]

*posts obvious biased article*

* POSTS AN ARTICLE UNDER DONOTLINK.COM (for those who don't know, people use donotlink.com to catagorize false blogs, scams, spam, conspiracy theories, and disinformation, so as not to bump it in a search engine*

Sorry but the post is a biased tinfoil article

Actually I live in Colorado Springs currently, and the Gazette is our local paper and it routinely does series like this on hot topic issues. IMO the legalization of pot here has been a double edged sword. Sure, government has brought in millions from the taxation of a once fully black market item, but in some ways the black market has prospered as a result.

Black market pot (locally grown) can be acquired cheaper than at legal pot shops and those black market growers are running rampant because law enforcement is now turning a blind eye on them. Because the legalization laws allow for individuals to grow and possess up to a given number of plants for "personal consumption" and many street cops are just not up to speed on the constantly changing regulations they don't even bother going after illegal grows whatsoever. This has created an environment where the black market has flourished and as a result pot has become more available to underage users.

 

[Bushido8000]

Actually I live in Colorado Springs currently, and the Gazette is our local paper and it routinely does series like this on hot topic issues. IMO the legalization of pot here has been a double edged sword. Sure, government has brought in millions from the taxation of a once fully black market item, but in some ways the black market has prospered as a result.

Black market pot (locally grown) can be acquired cheaper than at legal pot shops and those black market growers are running rampant because law enforcement is now turning a blind eye on them. Because the legalization laws allow for individuals to grow and possess up to a given number of plants for "personal consumption" and many street cops are just not up to speed on the constantly changing regulations they don't even bother going after illegal grows whatsoever. This has created an environment where the black market has flourished and as a result pot has become more available to underage users.

That's pretty interesting. Although Idk how the prosperity of the black market and availability to underage users would be connected. I ran into marijuana all the time as a teen, even in states where the laws against it were barbaric. Would you say that marijuana is now an awful pandemic in Colorado? Worse than alcohol related addictions/crimes?

 

[Oncefallen]

That's pretty interesting. Although Idk how the prosperity of the black market and availability to underage users would be connected. I ran into marijuana all the time as a teen, even in states where the laws against it were barbaric.

Part of the theory behind legalizing marijuana was that it would dry up the black market thus making it more difficult for minors to obtain. Sure, just like with cigarettes and alcohol kids that really want to get them are going to get them. Unfortunately though since many law enforcement agencies are now turning their attention elsewhere the black market has flourished here in Colorado thus the availability has flourished and since it's local grown rather than imported the price is cheaper thus making it more available before. Simply put law enforcement needs to keep the pressure on the black market.

Would you say that marijuana is now an awful pandemic in Colorado? Worse than alcohol related addictions/crimes?

An awful pandemic? Absolutely not, but there are definitely social issues that may take a decade or more to realize the effects. Our homeless numbers have risen in the past couple of years locally directly linked to legalized MJ. Apparently some people are foolish enough to move here from elsewhere in the country with no plan for employment or housing solely because the can light up legally.

 

[Desdichado]

Re: CLEARING THE HAZE: Colorado newspapers exposé of failures of state's 'legal pot'

Illegal drugs have had a history of black market use starting in 1875 here in the US.

Laws are not going to change an established drug culture over night. No sir.

That, I think is the true analog to the Prohibition. Alcohol had a history of open cultural use. Sure there were speakeasies and gansters ready to take control of contraband, but in most states and localities it was socially acceptable for Old Man Smith to sit on a porch with a case of Bud and a Coonhound at his feet.

For that reason, when hooch was legalized again in 1933 organized crime had to quickly find other vices to appeal to while alcohol shot out of the black market and back into open, popular consumption.

I'm not saying it was morally praiseworthy to have such a culture. Or morally praiseworthy to ban marijuana. My opinion on any of these matters would take another post.

What I am saying is that laws like the one voted in by Coloradans are not going to instantly change what has been culturally hardwired. People were idiots if they thought it was going to magically turn Colorado into a tourist paradise.

 

[p_rehbein]

Actually I live in Colorado Springs currently, and the Gazette is our local paper and it routinely does series like this on hot topic issues. IMO the legalization of pot here has been a double edged sword. Sure, government has brought in millions from the taxation of a once fully black market item, but in some ways the black market has prospered as a result.

Black market pot (locally grown) can be acquired cheaper than at legal pot shops and those black market growers are running rampant because law enforcement is now turning a blind eye on them. Because the legalization laws allow for individuals to grow and possess up to a given number of plants for "personal consumption" and many street cops are just not up to speed on the constantly changing regulations they don't even bother going after illegal grows whatsoever. This has created an environment where the black market has flourished and as a result pot has become more available to underage users.

You guys also have a Law that says that a large percent of these Revenues have to go back to the tax payers right? And wasn't the whole idea for legalization to make Colorado a Public Education System Mecca? Is that working out?

I remember when Tennessee voted in the Lottery............all the promises of how the PES would prosper and be so wonderful. Years later.............? Yeah, not so much.

How about crime rates due to legalization? How about the increase in youthful users (minors)? How about those who have a Medical Marijuana Card which allows them to purchase the weed tax free, and they can then sell it for a profit to most anyone, including school kids?

Just wondering........it may not be a pandemic, but it surely looks like Pandora's Box is cracked a wee bit open.

 

[jahsoul]

As seen in previous post, I have no issue with people who smoke marijuana; that being said, I knew once government got into it, it would still drive it underground. I don't know the details of it in Colorado, but does anyone know if they have attached the "sin" tax? (once of the most idiotic ideas every though up). If so, hecks yeah people are going to go less and less to the shops and get them from around the way.

Also, marijuana has always been available to underage users. The legalization of it wouldn't increase its presence because it was always there.

 

[RickyZ]

Re: CLEARING THE HAZE: Colorado newspapers exposé of failures of state's 'legal pot'

Wow. Colorado legalized immorality? In this world? Shocking!

 

[p_rehbein]

As seen in previous post, I have no issue with people who smoke marijuana; that being said, I knew once government got into it, it would still drive it underground. I don't know the details of it in Colorado, but does anyone know if they have attached the "sin" tax? (once of the most idiotic ideas every though up). If so, hecks yeah people are going to go less and less to the shops and get them from around the way.

Also, marijuana has always been available to underage users. The legalization of it wouldn't increase its presence because it was always there.

Did you read the Article? The guy who wrote the Article was on FNC yesterday, and according to him, use by minors has increased since legalization of marijuana........(re-edit)

Do you have a problem with public drunkenness? Or with minors getting drunk?

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

It is no surprise the pot lobby is also represented on CC. They lied to get Colorado voters to approve legalization, and they continue to lie, make excuses, obfuscate, and twist research to get their way and remain self-deluded.

 

[Nautilus]

Re: CLEARING THE HAZE: Colorado newspapers exposé of failures of state's 'legal pot'

I don't smoke pot, but its safer than alcohol and cigarettes probably less life-altering than the former as well. I don't really see an issue here.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

I don't smoke pot, but its safer than alcohol and cigarettes ...

That statement just proves you either don't know what you're talking about, or you too are part of the pot lobby.

The number of times I've posted on here the empirical evidence disproving that viewpoint, and people still want to cling to nonsense.

 

[Nautilus]

You have scientific peer-reviewed evidence that pot is more harmful to someone than alcohol? Ill wait.

 

[Desdichado]

You have scientific peer-reviewed evidence that pot is more harmful to someone than alcohol? Ill wait.

I'm with you on this one. Both sides of the debate have done a poor job of proving one way or another. Not to mention they have difficulty defining "harmful."

 

[p_rehbein]

You have scientific peer-reviewed evidence that pot is more harmful to someone than alcohol? Ill wait.

does this qualify?

 

[jahsoul]

does this qualify?

View attachment 107067

About as much as Reefer Madness brother, and we all know that gets a 0 in the facts department.

 

[jahsoul]

Did you read the Article? The guy who wrote the Article was on FNC yesterday, and according to him, use by minors has increased since legalization of marijuana........(re-edit)

Do you have a problem with public drunkenness? Or with minors getting drunk?

And again, it's all a mater of perspective and you used the right words; according to him. Weed has always been there and legalizing it doesn't change it. How does the legalization of weed makes it easier for underage users to get it? Think about this; they would have to use the same methods of getting it. Just because it has been legalized doesn't open the flood gates, because those that smoked it now, smoked it before.

Do I have a problem with public drunkenness? Somewhat, but as long as they don't violate anyone's liberty, life, property, of health, other than their own, then I will let them be an embarrassment to themselves. (if they are indeed that drunk)

Minors getting drunk? Yeah, I do to a point, but according to law, you are a minor if you are 20, even though you can die for your country at the age of 18. *shrugs* If they are over 18, I don't care.

 

[p_rehbein]

Re: CLEARING THE HAZE: Colorado newspapers exposé of failures of state's 'legal pot'

perspective or what one wishes to believe based on their bias?

I'm wondering if the pro pot folks here believe that marijuana poses a health risk...........? Not concerned about how that would compare to other addictive habits........simply........does smoking marijuana pose a real health risk?

As for how it made it easier for minors to obtain pot, the guy laid out the reasons, and they appear to be valid and given the reporting of incidents proven...........don't know, I don't live in Colorado............

 

[jahsoul]

It is no surprise the pot lobby is also represented on CC. They lied to get Colorado voters to approve legalization, and they continue to lie, make excuses, obfuscate, and twist research to get their way and remain self-deluded.

Pot lobby? lol

Listen VW, if you have an issue with something, than so be it, but all you have presented to back up your statements are biased reports. All I need to know is weed has a death count of 0. How many reported cases of cancer from weed? That's right, 0. Vehicular homicide caused by marijuana? Pretty sure cell phones have killed infinitely more? How about class action law suits against marijuana for caused internal bleeding, hemorrhages, clinical depression or even death?

Again, I understand that you are against it, but don't paint everything black and white because it isn't. Where are you as it relates to prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco? You know, things that have death tolls.

I say these things jokingly, but doesn't it make you wonder why marijuana is so easily villianized when the government regulates and approves things that kill folks in high volume annually? How many overdose (purposely or accidental) on prescription drugs? How many have died as a direct result of alcohol? And we don't even need to dive into the what they let be added to cigarettes...