The Denver Post published a remarkable op-ed from Colorado US Attorney Bob Troyer urging Colorado and other states considering marijuana legalization to pause and assess the results of this policy experiment. Among the highlights he mentions:
Colorado's youth use marijuana at a rate 85 percent higher than the national average
Marijuana-related traffic fatalities are up by 151 percent
70 percent of 400 licensed pot shops surveyed recommend that pregnant women use marijuana to treat morning sickness
Colorado has a booming black market exploiting our permissive regulatory system
Marijuana tax revenue adds less than one percent to Colorado's coffers, which is more than washed out by the public health, public safety, and regulatory costs of commercialization
Colorado's alcohol consumption has steadily climbed since marijuana commercialization
He wisely says, “We should pause and catch our breath before racing off again at the industry's urging.” Read more.