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This is the 100th day since recreational marijuana sales became legal in Colorado, and to mark the occasion, Michael Elliott of the Marijuana Industry Group has put together eight reasons it’s working, supported by coverage from national and local media outlets. Yes, the items are cherry-picked, and legalization opponents could come up with reports that disputed all of Elliott’s. But at the very least, the roster is evidence of the huge changes that have taken place in a very short period. Count down the photo-illustrated list below.
Number 8: Medical efficacy
“Gupta: ‘I am doubling down’ on medical marijuana’” by Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, 3-6-14′
Number 7: Tax revenue
“Colorado Expects to Reap Tax Bonanza From Legal Marijuana Sales” by Jack Healy, The New York Times, 2-20-2014
Number 6: Real estate
“Colorado Pot Laws Help Mile-High City’s Appetite for Real Estate to Grow Even Higher” by James Higdon, CNN, 12-13-2013
“Denver Ranks as a Top ‘Market to Watch’ for Commercial Real Estate” by Dennis Huspeni, Denver Business Journal, 1-17-14
Continue to keep counting down one advocate’s top eight reasons why recreational marijuana sales are working on the 100th day since they became legal.
Number 5: Youth
A) “Teen Marijuana Use May Show No Effect on Brain Tissue, Unlike Alcohol, Study Finds” by Kathleen Miles, Huffington Post: 12-23-12
B) “Graduation Rates Up in Colorado,” Denver Post, 1-23-2014
C) Colorado Teen Marijuana Usage Decreasing, according to Center for Disease Control. Since Colorado allowed for the sale of medical marijuana through licensed and taxed businesses, Colorado’s teen marijuana usage rate decreased almost 3% (2009 to 2011), dropping below the pre-dispensary average, and below the national average. In addition, availability of drugs in Colorado schools has decreased almost 25% since Colorado regulated medical marijuana.
D) “The Media’s Absurd Hysteria about Teens and Pot” by Paul Armentano, alternet.org, 12-18-13
Continue to keep counting down one advocate’s top eight reasons why recreational marijuana sales are working on the 100th day since they became legal.
Number 4: Driving
“Why Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Traffic Deaths” by Maia Szalavitz, TIME Magazine, 12-2-11
Number 3: Suicide
“Suicide Rates Fall When States Legalize Medical Marijuana” by Scott Kersgard, Colorado Independent, 2-24-12
Number 2: Crime
“No, legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t lead to crime, according to actual crime stats” by Emily Badger, Washington Post, March 26, 2014
Number 1: Rescheduling
“Eric Holder Would Be Glad to Work with Congress to Reschedule Marijuana” by Ryan Reilly, Huffington Post, April, 4 2014
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
More from our Marijuana archive circa January 1: “Marijuana: Buying recreational pot in Denver.”
