After 6 months, legal pot in Colorado a mix of highs, lows

[Donger]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...ing-up06262014



DENVER - Nearly six months after Colorado became the first in the world to sell legal recreational marijuana, industry advocates are playing up the high points -- specifically an economic boom and crime in Denver actually declining.

"I think a lot of people are looking at Colorado, and when you see crime going down, that’s a huge sign of success," said Michael Elliot, executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group. "I think so many things people were scared about have been shown to be nonsense."

The first four months of recreational pot sales has brought in nearly $11 million in tax revenue, demand for real estate has gone up, and the marijuana industry estimates there are currently 10,000 people working in the business.

On Thursday, the state announced that during 20 undercover operations to test if pot shops would sell to minors, not a single store sold to a child.

"The Division prides itself on ensuring public safety; we are pleased with the results and will continue to monitor the businesses to ensure that the compliance efforts are maintained," said Lewis Koski, Director of the Marijuana Enforcement Division.

But while the state hasn't gone up in smoke, not everyone agrees Colorado is better off and safer.

The state's largest provider of community detox centers, Arapahoe House, reported this week that DUI admissions involving marijuana have nearly doubled since legalization.

In 2013, 8 percent of admissions were accused of driving under the influence of marijuana, and now that's up to 15 percent.

"We're only seeing recreational legalization in it's infancy, but it's already having an impact on public safety," said Araphoe House spokeswoman Kate Edmundson.

7NEWS found small children continue to get their hands on marijuana, particularly edibles.

The Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center said, so far this year it's had 19 calls from people reporting pot ingestion by children younger than 5 years old.

Children's Hospital Colorado said it's treated 11 kids who've ingested edibles marijuana, six of whom have become critically ill.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

I was in Denver for a a few days last week, and I fell in love, outside from that whole Bronco thing. My friend has lived there all his life, isnt a big smoker at all, but says so far so good on the pot law.

I dont smoke at ll, but I went to Euflora, which is a pot store (not dispensery) in the heart of downtown Denver. It was so cool. They had all the weed in little containers so you could smell it. Plus they had little Ipads next to each container with all the info on the weed, like how it was grown, what strains, the positive effects, negative effects and medical benefits. Ththe Ipads also had charts showing you levels of paranoia, or calmness, or energy levels. It made it easy to get exactly what the consumer wanted in their "high". They also had edibles, and pot water. I have never seen pot water, but they had it and they had 6 or 7 different flavors.

The main issue the industry is having right now is banking, but the state is really trying to figure that out for the industry becasue its all cash right now and thats super dangerous for the employees and the stores.

I think its an awesome thing, and quite frankly, its goign to be full blown legal everywhere within 10 years. So get use to it old crusty guys. Colorado is leading the way and ironing out all the wrinkles for the rest of us.

I doubt that I'm much older than you, if at all.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Your kids are certainly going to enjoy their teenage and young adult years, Donger.

One of them already is, thanks.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

I'm in favor of decriminalization. But of course there's fewer drug arrests. That's a completely useless stat.

Not completely useless. Fewer arrests mean fewer tax dollars spent.

[Mr. Laz]

I do think they need to stop with the 'candy' type edibles.


Don't be too casual about making pot look like non-pot. There is a fine line between discreet and confusing.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Donger

I doubt that I'm much older than you, if at all.

You act as if you are, so I naturally assumed you were.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Donger

I doubt that I'm much older than you, if at all.

Ya, it's not about age.


I'm pretty sure you were a super douche at 18 as well.

[Carlota69]

Heres some pics of the pot store, and a GAY BRONCo meme in the making for kicks.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by penguinz

Not completely useless. Fewer arrests mean fewer tax dollars spent.

and more time for law enforcement to focus on substantial criminal activity.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KC native

I bet you're a huge Mr Bean fan.

Wait a sec.

I'm a pothead AND a Mr. Bean fan.

[teedubya]

The pot edibles are so potent. I'm an experienced pot smoker, but one edible made me lay down and pray to 7.8 oz baby Jebus.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Donger

Angry pothead

Oxymoron...

[Mr. Laz]

too bad the state law change isn't contagious so that it would just migrate from Colorado to Kansas like the flu

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by teedubya

The pot edibles are so potent. I'm an experienced pot smoker, but one edible made me lay down and pay to 7.8 oz baby Jebus.

I've given edibles to people just to watch the reaction.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

You act as if you are, so I naturally assumed you were.

Sure. There really isn't anything attractive about a 40 year old acting like an adolescent.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by teedubya

The pot edibles are so potent. I'm an experienced pot smoker, but one edible made me lay down and pay to 7.8 oz baby Jebus.

Yea, I quit making edibles for myself a few years ago because I have a tendency to make them waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too strong.