Another look at the Pot debate

[TxMusky]

Seems like the good is outweighing the bad on this issue. Of course the downsides will always throw shade on what the original intention really was.

Our country is facing a drug epidemic. Legalizing recreational marijuana will do nothing that Senator Booker expects. We heard many of these same promises in 2012 when Colorado legalized recreational marijuana.


In the years since, Colorado has seen an increase in marijuana related traffic deaths, poison control calls, and emergency room visits. The marijuana black market has increased in Colorado, not decreased. And, numerous Colorado marijuana regulators have been indicted for corruption.


In 2012, we were promised funds from marijuana taxes would benefit our communities, particularly schools. Dr. Harry Bull, the Superintendent of Cherry Creek Schools, one of the largest school districts in the state, said, "So far, the only thing that the legalization of marijuana has brought to our schools has been marijuana."


In fiscal year 2016, marijuana tax revenue resulted in $156,701,018. The total tax revenue for Colorado was $13,327,123,798, making marijuana only 1.18% of the state's total tax revenue. The cost of marijuana legalization in public awareness campaigns, law enforcement, healthcare treatment, addiction recovery, and preventative work is an unknown cost to date.


Senator Booker stated his reasons for legalizing marijuana is to reduce "marijuana arrests happening so much in our country, targeting certain communities - poor communities, minority communities." It's a noble cause to seek to reduce incarceration rates among these communities but legalizing marijuana has had the opposite effect.


According to the Colorado Department of Public Safety, arrests in Colorado of black and Latino youth for marijuana possession have increased 58% and 29% respectively after legalization. This means that Black and Latino youth are being arrested more for marijuana possession after it became legal.


Furthermore, a vast majority of Colorado's marijuana businesses are concentrated in neighborhoods of color. Leaders from these communities, many of whom initially voted to legalize recreational marijuana, often speak out about the negative impacts of these businesses.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opini...xSi8xeJGPb8ycU

The truth is something that few politicians will admit, but this news organization is not some loony right wing rag, they usually carry a liberal torch so it surprised me that this was allowed to be in their news.

[FredK]

One guy's opinion. Everyone has one.

[mgrist]

Fred it doesn't sound like opinions to me. it looks like somebody did their homework, either way we at least know what one of your problems are.

[wacojoe]

Same old conundrum: we believe in as much freedom as possible, yet recognize the dangers and attraction of mind-bending drugs, so should we impose the force of government to change behavior by lessening choices or not, and if so, by how much?

[Phillbo]

I don't understand. If it's legal, how are they arresting people for possession?

[FredK]

It was the same argument presented in AZ when the issue came up for a vote. Same tired hack on MJ and it's users. To be sure like everything else there are people that need it and use it and others that will abuse it.

So the facts about schools was the same thing except it failed to mention the school that didn't get any money never applied for it.

So do yourself a favor and pick up more info instead of cherry picking something that appeals to you.