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.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Katipan

It doesn't tho. The candy isn't all that good if you don't like the taste of pot.

Right, but to a five-year-old, what's going to taste better: a pot-infused cookie (that tastes weird, but is otherwise edible) or a shot of Jack Daniels?

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Right, but to a five-year-old, what's going to taste better: a pot-infused cookie (that tastes weird, but is otherwise edible) or a shot of Jack Daniels?

Depends. Are we talking about 5 year old Kyle Orton?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Depends. Are we talking about 5 year old Kyle Orton?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Depends. Are we talking about 5 year old Kyle Orton?

Touché.

[kcfanXIII]

the thing about kids ingesting edibles is this; it is not my responsibility to contain your children. I should not be punished because of some irresponsible parent letting their children have access to their stash. This is a last ditch effort by prohibitionists to use the "think about the babies" argument, since every other one of their concerns has been proven false.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by DaFace

The issue, from my perspective, is that alcohol tastes like shit to kids who aren't used to it - especially the really potent stuff.

A pot-infused cookie, for the most part, tastes like a cookie. That's a major problem.

The good news is that it typically won't result in any long-term problems, but it sure can make for one hell of a scary night.

Yep, but going to the hospital isn't going to do a thing in the world for except make it worse and document it for your 'permanent record'.

Long story short my buddy made pot brownies for a rafting trip back in college. Made them too strong to say the least. 3 out of 4 of the girls that ate them were begging me to take them to the hospital 2 hours after eating.

Yeah right, I'm going to the hospital right now. Get the **** outa here.

Edibles aren't like smoking, the should be taken with extreme caution.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

the thing about kids ingesting edibles is this; it is not my responsibility to contain your children. I should not be punished because of some irresponsible parent letting their children have access to their stash. This is a last ditch effort by prohibitionists to use the "think about the babies" argument, since every other one of their concerns has been proven false.

Eh, I don't necessarily agree with that. I don't think edibles should be banned or anything, but I think the potency should be taken down to a level that a single "serving" is intuitive to people.

It's not the state's responsibility for you to keep a pot cookie from your kid. But it's the state's responsibility to be sure that the consequences for a kid getting a hold of it are more on the scale of "that sucks, but junior is pretty damn funny when he's stoned" rather than "time for an overnight stay at the hospital, possibly involving getting your stomach pumped".

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Eh, I don't necessarily agree with that. I don't think edibles should be banned or anything, but I think the potency should be taken down to a level that a single "serving" is intuitive to people.

It's not the state's responsibility for you to keep a pot cookie from your kid. But it's the state's responsibility to be sure that the consequences for a kid getting a hold of it are more on the scale of "that sucks, but junior is pretty damn funny when he's stoned" rather than "time for an overnight stay at the hospital, possibly involving getting your stomach pumped".

I like that. Edibles should have a regulated potency and it should be stated on the label.

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Right, but to a five-year-old, what's going to taste better: a pot-infused cookie (that tastes weird, but is otherwise edible) or a shot of Jack Daniels?

Why do you get the extreme examples? What about the vodkas with pictures of cake? They taste better than pot cookies. Easily.

[Katipan]

I can't even drink Jack.
Can **** the shit out of Jose, tho.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Katipan

I can't even drink Jack.
Can **** the shit out of Jose, tho.

Both of these are vile, disgusting liquids.

[Otter]

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Both of these are vile, disgusting liquids.

Can we London bridge a bottle of Jager, then?

[Pablo]

Yes. Edibles are potent as **** and should be kept in a safe place where children can't access them.

No. They don't taste delicious like your standard cookie or brownie; but if you enjoy pot then they're alright.

In short, be a ****ing parent and don't blame the weed/booze/prescriptions for making their way to your children's mouths.

And DaFace's idea about regulating potency of edibles is a pretty solid one. Some of them shits are way, way, way too strong.

[kcfanXIII]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Eh, I don't necessarily agree with that. I don't think edibles should be banned or anything, but I think the potency should be taken down to a level that a single "serving" is intuitive to people.

It's not the state's responsibility for you to keep a pot cookie from your kid. But it's the state's responsibility to be sure that the consequences for a kid getting a hold of it are more on the scale of "that sucks, but junior is pretty damn funny when he's stoned" rather than "time for an overnight stay at the hospital, possibly involving getting your stomach pumped".

tell me, how many people have died from a pot overdose? even with these "super potent" edibles. kids or adults. Go ahead and look for a stat. I'll wait....