Can anyone tell me how legalizing Marijuana has affected the state? (Denver: fit in, sales)

[goolsbyjazz]

Hello, here in Arizona there is a furious debate over whether or not to legalize marijuana on the November ballot. I know Colorado passed similar legislation and was wondering if someone could help me understand the pros and cons from those who actually experienced this change? Lots of accusations (from both sides) and propaganda (some false, some true) is being spread. What's the bottom line? Good or bad?

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Hello, here in Arizona there is a furious debate over whether or not to legalize marijuana on the November ballot. I know Colorado passed similar legislation and was wondering if someone could help me understand the pros and cons from those who actually experienced this change? Lots of accusations (from both sides) and propaganda (some false, some true) is being spread. What's the bottom line? Good or bad?

good or bad what?

[batemansbay]

I live in Washington state, pros-cheap and good pot. Don't have to visit a creepy drug dealer. safe, pure weed.Less police hours spent on busting stoners. Cons-a lot of people moving here just for weed. A generation of youngsters who try and reinvent weed with genetics and concentrates. Lots of stoned people hanging out doing nothing. Fortunately I live in a area where pot shops are banned. I like it that way. Spokane is filled with pot shops and lots of pot growers. Overall I think its better to have it legal, then jailing non violent drug offenders.

[SQL]

Not a huge advocate for pot, but here are my insights.

Pros
* Lots of revenue generated from pot sales tax and it's being reinvested in schools

* Easy access to a recreational drug (not much different than alcoholic beverages IMO)

Cons
* Young pot heads everywhere moving here, driving up costs. I know of some trust fund kids having their parents move them here, pay for their rents, financing their lifestyle, etc.

* It can be difficult to fit in if you aren't a pot smoker or ski bum, particularly if you're under 30 and single

[wilberry]

Some people starting driving really slow ....

[MN_Ski]

Yeah it kind of sucks.

- Extremely low unemployment
- Strong economy bringing in hundreds of thousands of very educated wealthy people
- Increased tourism generating tons of profit (70 million visitors a year)
- About 40% home value appreciation
- When you drive out of state, you fear getting pulled over multiple times with dogs
- People are giving their cash to state taxes instead of drug dealers

It's really how you look at it. If you don't want your state to change over night, it's a bad thing.

[SkyDog77]

Day to day, it hasn't affect my life a single iota.

There have been a few more stoners around, but imagine that will dissipate as more states legalize. California will legalize this election cycle so this is going to become much less of a unique draw.

Less money being spent on trying and incarcerating non violent people is better in my opinion.

The biggest test is whether or not we would do it again.

A recent poll I saw suggested we absolutely would.

Poll shows little regret in Colorado over legalizing marijuana – The Denver Post

[davebarnes]

Like, wow, what was the question again?

Some people are against it -- http://www.rmhidta.org (I cannot imagine why)

[McGowdog]

Here's a recent article of pro-pot people defending Amendment 64...

Cannabis advocates have their say; anti-pot group refuses

Here, you get a snapshot of the divide amongst the community. Perhaps some colorful comments to follow. There has been many twists and turns from the situation that most would not imagine nor predict.

[Vision67]

The biggest advantage to legalizing pot is that it keeps young people from getting a serious criminal record for just getting caught with weed. Putting people like that in jail makes no sense.

It also frees the cops to focus on catching real crooks.