Reader: Sketchy areas near dispensaries make me ambivalent about Amendment 64

Our post yesterday about marijuana-community divisions over Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, led to plenty of pros and cons in our comments section. One reader framed her view of the initiative by sharing her observations of the areas near medical marijuana dispensaries...

By Michael Roberts

August 31, 2012

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Our post yesterday about marijuana-community divisions over Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, led to plenty of pros and cons in our comments section. One reader framed her view of the initiative by sharing her observations of the areas near medical marijuana dispensaries.

Jennifer Phillips writes:

I've always been for decriminalization. I have noticed since moving to Denver, however, that the areas around many of the dispensaries near my neighborhood tend to be quite a bit "sketchier" (for lack of a better word) than say an area just a few blocks down the street. I don't know if more regulation would help this, and I'm not sure if the problem even changes my support for decriminalization. If anything, it has made me ambivalent about the issue because I now see it as a lose-lose situation.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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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.

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