Reader: I'm So Sick of Everything Being Blamed on Pot

Thomas Mitchell recently wrote about an MSU Denver study looking into the impact of marijuana legalization. The report's authors found that both crime and homelessness appear to have gone up in Denver since recreational sales launched, although linkage to cannabis proves elusive — and a city representative suggests that the crime...

By Michael Roberts

June 26, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Thomas Mitchell recently wrote about an MSU Denver study looking into the impact of marijuana legalization.

The report's authors found that both crime and homelessness appear to have gone up in Denver since recreational sales launched, although linkage to cannabis proves elusive — and a city representative suggests that the crime boost likely has other explanations

The post generated some passionate responses.

In the one below, a reader expresses frustration at what he sees as a failure to accentuate the positive when it comes to marijuana.

Keith Blaisdell writes:

I'm so sick of everything being blamed on pot, negative on everything and anything to attach the word "pot" to it. You don't see the amount of money being bragged about, or how the state wants to keep millions in extra taxes from the sale of "pot." Move on. Homeless people have been in Denver for decades.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo