Oh my God!!!! Everyone in Colorado is going to get high!

[kag]

At least that's what it sounds like if you read CNN or some of the other press.

I wish people would realize that NO ONE in Colorado who wasn't getting high last week will be getting high today. Hell, the kids that my kids go to school with will still be getting high, even though they can't "legally" buy weed. All the MMJ patients, many of whom have no illness worse than the dreaded "really, really, really want to get high" disease, will still be getting high, they just won't have to get put into the state registry or even give their last name to the cashier at the pot store.

And you still can't buy pot legally in Colorado Springs, so all of those poor people who have to live among the right wing junta that control the city will probably still buy their pot illegally, simply because it's less trouble and less expensive.

You see, very little will change in Colorado. In fact, I will go out on a limb here, and say that almost NOTHING will change in Colorado, except that we might see a slightly higher rate of new school buildings because of the tax revenue.

[hlthe2b]

1. No one on a diet, that's for sure...

[Boomerproud]

2. Rocky Mountain High.

n/t

[JaneyVee]

3. The pizza business is about to boom!

[Hoyt]

4. LMAO, but probably true.

[TlalocW]

12. Grateful Dead tribute bands as well

Sure they'll have a resurgence. I've never smoked the sticky, icky, but I think it probably did help make the Dead enjoyable.

Yes, that is a slam on the Dead, and before any of the fans out there get mad at me for insulting them, consider this first... I'm right.

TlalocW

[Cirque du So-What]

29. Your post reminds me of an old joke

Q: What do Grateful Dead fans say when they run out of weed?

A: Man, this band SUCKS!

[UTUSN]

5. Will it translate into librul votes? An indigenous Mexican told a hippie in the '70s

"It's a MEDICINE. For when a woman is giving birth or a man breaks a limb..." Iow, a painkiller.

[kag]

10. I wish it would, but I kind of doubt it.

The measure to legalize passed with such strong support it makes me think that even the state Rethugs don't believe it is a divisive issue anymore. Hell some of them might even campaign on it.

[tridim]

6. You're right, really the only thing changing is that now, good people who were considered criminals

for ingesting a natural herb are no longer considered criminals.

It's called freedom.

[kag]

7. I thought about that after I posted. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Wounded Bear]

17. And, on the 'down' side...

those who commit crimes while high will still be punished--for the crime, not just for possession of a weed that grows naturally in most environments.

[frazzled]

9. Well, what might change is ...

an influx of weed-tourists from other places. And that is kind of an unknown. They may not be the kind of tourists who actually spend money on anything (restaurants, hotels, entertainment) and thus help the local economy. It might become the Fort Lauderdale of dope vacations. Drug tourism is a problem Amsterdam has been having for many years, and they still haven't solved it.

[kag]

11. You sound like the very press I'm talking about.

Last edited Thu Jan 2, 2014, 03:16 PM - Edit history (1)

The "weed tourism" has been one of the huge scare tactics that some cities are using to ban weed sales (like the Springs). But if you think about it, I doubt it will be that big a problem. First of all, weed has a 25% tax on it, and that's just the state's cut. Cities and counties are implementing their own taxes too.

So legal weed is probably going to be vastly more expensive than illegal weed. Also, out of staters can only legally purchase a quarter ounce. Even if they don't stay in a hotel or eat at a fancy restaurant, that's a lot of gas money they're spending for a very small amount of pot. Chances are they can get it from their neighbor in Texas, Florida, California, Missouri, etc., lots cheaper.

[tridim]

13. I'd much rather have the slopes full of stoned tourists instead of drunk tourists. nt

[jberryhill]

15. "They may not be the kind of tourists who actually spend money on anything"

Explain to me how they manage not to spend money on anything?

Just who are these people who apparently have the time and money to spend on traveling to Colorado, and manage not to sleep, eat, or do anything else while they are there?

Because it sounds to me as if they are going to Colorado specifically to spend money on something there.

But I really would like to know more about these tourists.

As far as Amsterdam goes, I would assume, if you've spent any time there, that the entire reason for the famed "red light district" was to create a buffer between rowdy seafaring visitors and the more upscale canal rings. The moneyed folks didn't want sailors preying on their daughters. The presence, containment and control of foreigners looking for a good time is hardly new to Amsterdam.

[Ganja Ninja]

22. If there's anything that will help spur the legalization of pot it's money.

In this country as soon as people realize there's money to be made and politicians realize there's a lobby that can line their pockets things happen.

[Initech]

14. Bill Hicks: not only should pot be legalized it should be mandatory!

[reformist2]

16. I think we're going to see the downsides of full-blown legalization.

[tridim]

18. We'll see all sides, for the first time since prohibition began.

What is the primary "downside" IYO?

[NCTraveler]

27. Many people will see what they want to with this issue.

Some will see the upside. Some, such as yourself, will focus on the downside. Others will view it as a whole. Those who view it as a whole fully understand that the upside outweighs the downside.

[librechik]

19. True story--everybody in Colorado is already high.

just a lot fewer people will be in jail.

[otohara]

23. Nonsense

stop with cliches and stereotyping - we're not munching on Doritos or gorging on pizza. This state is one of the fittest and least obese states in the nation.

A whole bunch of people don't smoke weed, none of the men/women in any one of my docs offices smoke weed, some of my son's friends in their 20+ age demo don't smoke weed. Some people don't even like it. Many employers still do random tests so those folks aren't smoking either.

Pot heads is another term I'm tired of hearing. The potency of the product out here is makes it pretty hard to smoke very much.
I don't consider myself a pothead...I smoke one/two hits during the day for motivation and at night for sleep.

As a Colorado native I can say we do like our pot - have for decades, it's always easy to get because of our location in the Western US. Some of us can't drink out here in the thin air - pot, not a problem.

Not everyone is smoking weed in Colorado.

[librechik]

31. my dear otohara

you make my point. You smoke a couple hits a day, and don't think of yourself as a pothead.

I'm from Colorado, too--I know exactly what you are talking about.

But it's true, i exaggerated by saying it was everyone. Joke!

[Yo_Mama]

20. Well, it should be a good-humored, laid-back population n/t

[bowens43]

21. I don't think that is completely true

Personally I will not get high while it's illegal (although I did for many years) but if it's legalized here or I visit Colorado, I will.

[otohara]

25. It's Not

Pretty sure I'm the only person on my block (actually it's two blocks) who takes a few hits per day.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

24. IKR!!! --->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024255479

[HERVEPA]

26. Silly assumption

Plenty of people will not do something illegal but will do it when it's legal.
And yes, I know it's been widely available.

[Shrike47]

28. I have to agree. I don't smoke it but now, if in Colorado, might.

[KurtNYC]

30. Yes. Now legal and from a known source

Consistent quality, supply and safety WILL have some impact on consumption.

My guess is there will be an initial "boom" in use but it will subside when the novelty wears off. The mystique and "naughtiness" has been part of the appeal for some but after lifting prohibition the use of MJ may come to be seen as something mundane. MJ could become the new FaceBook (eg shunned by kids).

[LWolf]

32. Then Colorado will be the most peaceful state in the nation. nt