Report Claims Legalized Marijuana is Proving to Have Negative Consequences

Friday, February 19, 2016

GoLocalProv News Team

The leading anti-marijuana group that touts former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Bill Clinton’s drug Czar Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey as two of its board members has released a comprehensive report outlining a range adverse impacts to states that legalized the drug.

"By almost every measure, the negative consequences in Colorado and Washington are piling up," said Kevin Sabet, President and co-founder of SAM. "Just because our government is not documenting the problems systematically, it doesn't mean it can't be done. It's important people understand what the facts say - and reject the spin coming from Big Marijuana."

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According to the group’s the report:

   •   Colorado now leads the country in past-month marijuana use by youth, with Washington in 6th place.
   •   Past-year use rates in both states are far outpacing the national average.
   •   Marijuana is now related to a record high of 33% of DUI cases in Washington state.
   •   Marijuana poisonings are up 148% in Colorado since legalization, and up 153% among children 0 to 5 years old.
   •   In 2015, drug crimes rose 12.5% in the city and county of Denver, and homicides were up over 74%.
   •   An outsized impact on minority and disadvantaged communities in Denver, with one lower-income neighborhood reporting a marijuana business for every 47 residents.

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Group claims crime has increased in Denver Metro Area

“Though it would take more than a year to set up retail stores, personal use (in Colorado and Washington), and home cultivation/ giving away of up to six plants (in Colorado) were almost immediately legalized after the vote,” said the report.

The report warns of a brand-new marijuana industry selling candies, waxes, sodas, and other marijuana items has exploded, and with it a lobby to Kight regulation. These “experiments” in legalization and commercialization, have not succeeded.

"Perhaps unsurprisingly, Colorado now leads the country in past-month marijuana use by youth, with Washington in 6th place. Other states that have since legalized marijuana occupy 4th place (District of Columbia) and 5th place (Oregon). States with “medical marijuana” laws occupy 2nd and 3rd place (Vermont and Rhode Island, respectively). Additionally, as explained in greater detail below, the laws have had serious, negative impacts on public health and safety."

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SAM claims large increase in hospitalizations

Related Slideshow: The Highest Marijuana Prices in 2015 in New England by State

Forbes.com recently released a graphic that looks at how much an ounce of marijuana costs in every state in America, as well as the District of Columbia. The national average is $324.

Below is a look at where New England states fall in the rankings, as well as where marijuana is the most expensive and least expensive nationally.