Reader: Being profiled for pot is the price Colorado has to pay for leading the way

Our latest post about alleged pot profiling, featuring Idaho State Troopers pulling over three Colorado drivers for incredibly minor traffic infractions (but then finding cannabis), led to an intriguing debate about the practice. Here's the post of a reader who feels such law-enforcement behavior is to be expected given that...

By Michael Roberts

June 2, 2014

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Our latest post about alleged pot profiling, featuring Idaho State Troopers pulling over three Colorado drivers for incredibly minor traffic infractions (but then finding cannabis), led to an intriguing debate about the practice. Here's the post of a reader who feels such law-enforcement behavior is to be expected given that Colorado's laws differ significantly from those in every other state except Washington.

Charlie Jones writes:

This is the price Colorado are going to have to pay the rest of the country don't agree with us. If you don't like it nobody says you have to.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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