[BubblesandPat]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

I've spent time in Denver before and after legalization. I don't believe that marijuana is the root cause of their problems. Many articles cite gang and gun violence as well as meth and opiodes have overtaken Denver. No mention of marijuana. I honestly have never seen a ring of pot smokers doing burglaries, robberies and gang-style shootings.

Most places that legalized weed have experienced lower crime (feel free to look up recent non-partisan studies) and also save money on people getting incarcerated for smoking a joint which is absurd when it's legal in many places and easy to access almost anywhere.

They legalized it in our area up north and the street dealers went out of business overnight and many just got legitimate jobs at dispensaries. Same thing happened when prohibition ended 100 years ago with alcohol.

I'm shocked that anyone is against all of the tax revenue that it produces. It's not like people start smoking weed when it becomes legal. That never happens.

Well said! I have a friend who was growing it in his attic to sell (illegally) and was quite an expert in the science of growing the best strains. He moved to California and got a really job with a grower. ( he was delivering pizzas before that) he loves it. Not all pot dealers are low life herione addicts like in the movies. Many are just trying to make a living. Like bootleggers during prohibition many became legitimate businesses.

[CybrSage]

To counter some of the false claims, I figured I would make a list of facts. A great read is this from the CATO institute. They reviewed tons of studies and real world data. A long read so here is their conclusion. I have added additional items they did not cover.

"The absence of significant adverse consequences is especially striking given the sometimes‐​dire predictions made by legalization opponents."
https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis...ate#conclusion

All laws regarding legalizing also include stiff penalties for illegal sales, including corruption of a minor.

Pot and coke are vastly different things. The biggest being coke is addictive and pot is not.

It has been proven pot is less of a gateway drug than alcohol is when both are legal. When alcohol was illegal, it was far more of a gateway drug than it is when legal. Pot is the same.

CBD is legal to buy already. No need to buy CBD at a dispensary unless you want it mixed with pot.

The crime rate does not increase with legal pot, only when the idiots in charge also legalize the addictive drugs as well.

Traffic accidents do not increase either. It has been found many would be drunk drivers become stoned drivers creating a net zero change in accidents post legalization.

Pot use increases slightly after legalization and quickly tapers off. With the national view that pot is not so bad, the rate of pot use is climbing in every state. Legalization barely changes it.

Obviously, the justice system's burden is reduced, but that is the effect of legalizing anything.

Vote your conscious, but do it informed. Pot having very little effect on anything but revenue is irrelevant if you are against all mind altering drugs, including alcohol.

[Carl123]

Absolutely NOT!! As a retired Police Officer from Colorado, I saw first hand the effects of legalized marijuana. Every statistical category of crime increased, from petit theft to armed robbery and even murder. Colorado politicians also made the same promises of increasing public safety, fixing roads and more money for school's. To this day, 11 years later, NONE of those promises have come to fruition! Also, the cartel’s moved in, to grow their own weed to sell for much less than what the dispensary’s are selling it for.

Someone is getting rich from the tax base of legalized weed and benefiting, but I can assure you, it’s not the citizens who were handed the same bag of veiled promises…VOTE NO!!!

[MartyW]

This is the type of subject that folks will never 100% agree on. Not gonna waste time with the reasons, not gonna try and convince others. But if we are doing a tracking poll, you can put me in the no column.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Carl123

Absolutely NOT!! As a retired Police Officer from Colorado, I saw first hand the effects of legalized marijuana. Every statistical category of crime increased, from petit theft to armed robbery and even murder. Colorado politicians also made the same promises of increasing public safety, fixing roads and more money for school's. To this day, 11 years later, NONE of those promises have come to fruition! Also, the cartel’s moved in, to grow their own weed to sell for much less than what the dispensary’s are selling it for.

Someone is getting rich from the tax base of legalized weed and benefiting, but I can assure you, it’s not the citizens who were handed the same bag of veiled promises…VOTE NO!!!

The Mexican cartel thanks you! I’m so glad you’re no longer a cop.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Battlebasset

Nope. The crime and other problems it brings is far surpassed by any revenue it brings in. Just google "pot Denver crime".

I'm not sure why we allow it to be dispensed the way that it is for medical purposes. Should controlled medical substances be dispensed by a pharmacy?

Finally, just like alcohol, kids are going to get it. Per the Mayo Clinic:

Marijuana use in teens

Marijuana contains more than 500 chemicals, of which delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is considered the primary psychoactive (mind-altering) compound. The concentration of THC in a marijuana product is directly proportional to its potency or how much of a high it will give when consumed. Marijuana use among adolescents and young adults can affect normal brain development, leading to problems in learning, memory, coordination, reaction time and judgment.

Excessive and frequent use of marijuana is associated with hallucinations, paranoia, and a range of emotional problems. The severe form of marijuana abuse is called marijuana use disorder. Youth who use marijuana at an early age, in high amounts and with the risk factors mentioned above are more prone to developing marijuana use disorder.

If it was restricted to adult in private, then I don't care. But you know it won't be. Move to NYC if you like the smell of skunk weed as you walk the streets.

Yep. Make it legal it’s easy to get anyway.

[Cooperthecat]

1. Car insurance may go up? Florida has the most uninsured drivers at 20%. Legalize pot and you may see an increase in car accidents? Pot does reduce reaction times and contributes to poor decision making so it's just another contributing factor. If you're hit twice in 3 years you'll not be able to get insurance for 3 years even if those 2 accidents are minor and not your fault. Florida is a no fault state. I was hit as a passenger while at a stop sign and then hit at a stoplight. Neither accident was my fault but my insurance was canceled. I had to buy a motorcycle to get around for 3 years. My insurance was double when I was able to get it again.
2. The last house I owned in The Villages, my neighbor behind me smoked pot and I couldn't open my windows on cool nights because it would fill the house up if the wind was blowing it my way. There was a 6 ft fence between us. He smoked on his back lanai. The first time it happened I had to leave the house because it was too late to do anything about. My house was full of skunk odor for hours. I guess the wind was blowing just right that evening?
3. Have you been to a state that Legalized pot? Everywhere you go may smell like a skunk. I experienced this in Colorado. If you don't like the smell of cigarettes and cigars you probably won't like pot either.

I'm ok with medical marijuana and voted for it as I believe it may help those who are suffering. Legalizing it for pure enjoyment is not something I can vote for.

[maistocars]

Hard no for me.

[roob1]

Don't confuse correlation with cause. What you state does not necessarily mean cannabis CAUSES psychotic disorders, only a correlation.

Originally Posted by FredMitchell

Most of the comments, including the OP, seem to violate the "politics" prohibition of this site.

Individuals reporting cannabis use are at higher risk of psychotic disorders (ie, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) than the general population, as well as having earlier onset, worse symptoms, and longer hospitalisations.

Users are prohibited by federal law to own guns and to pilot aircraft - including drones.

One could replace "marijuana" with amphetamines, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, sex trade, gambling, etc. in all of the arguments for legalization.

[roob1]

Archaic military law. Would he have been depressed if he had received a reasonable sentence? Jail for pot....now that is crazy.

Originally Posted by GizmoWhiskers

The dumbing down of America. Sure, why not "huuuuuh, phewwww, go for it dude."

Medical is ok; however, abused.

Nothing like smelling cow dung pot at red lights knowing another driver is getting high and driving. Smell it everywhere now. Just wonderful.

Since pot would be ok why not add legailized Molly and coke to counter the excess weight gain and lathargic, mellowed out, overly "chilled" out effects that the pot causes.

Pot slows the brain down so we need a legalized pick me up something stronger than caffeine too. The pick me up means no sleep so now a good stronger than unisom sleep drug is needed so how about some good legalized fentanyl so one can sleep again... like forever.

Sure, all the drugs are here anyway so might as well open the prison gates for those in jail because of them. Shame some people killed themselves over drug convictions that are now legal.

That sucks "dude".

My nephew died in vain. He took his own life after serving his sentence in the brig for smoking pot. The military denied him his meds for depression while he was incarcerated.

Dude, he broke honorable code and valor so he outed himself. His death was a damn shame, worth more than a blunt. I digress...

[Boilerman]

Originally Posted by Carl123

Absolutely NOT!! As a retired Police Officer from Colorado, I saw first hand the effects of legalized marijuana. Every statistical category of crime increased, from petit theft to armed robbery and even murder. Colorado politicians also made the same promises of increasing public safety, fixing roads and more money for school's. To this day, 11 years later, NONE of those promises have come to fruition! Also, the cartel’s moved in, to grow their own weed to sell for much less than what the dispensary’s are selling it for.

Someone is getting rich from the tax base of legalized weed and benefiting, but I can assure you, it’s not the citizens who were handed the same bag of veiled promises…VOTE NO!!!

None of this is true. From the former Gov of Colorado: “ When Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) served as governor of Colorado in 2012, he unsuccessfully tried to convince voters to reject a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, in large part because he worried it would encourage more use by young people. But with years of data now generated by his state and other that have since enacted legalization, he’s admitting that his concern was unfounded.”

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by eyc234

You also have foreign crime syndicates running a lot of the "legal grow" facilities in the US.

A very big problem for the entire industry is that the amount of government regulations creates a huge barrier to entry, making it very expensive up front to start up a business. Couple that with the fact that it’s becoming legal in many states, but illegal federally, severely limits start up entrepreneurs financing sources. Since banks are federally chartered, and FDIC insured, they can not lend money to any business involved in the industry. Unfortunately, only very deep pocketed and big established, often nefarious organizations, tend to have the cash on hand necessary to enter the business. It has crowded out the little guy and local farmer.

[jimkerr]

I’ll be voting yes. It helps so many people and here in Fl. It’s all analyzed by a third party lab to ensure it’s safe.

I’ve seen so much incorrect data by people saying they will vote no.

You should start attending the villages medical marijuana club meetings and learn how much it can help you. There are hundreds of villagers using it to solve a multitude of problems naturally without prescription pills.

[Cheapbas]

Originally Posted by JGibson

It's on the ballot this November.

It's estimated the tax revenue in the first year would be over $500 million and much more in the following years.

21 years of age would be the age limit and no cultivating on your own.

Medical marijuana is already legal in Florida and seems to obtain approval is a low threshold and really just about the money for doctor fees.

For those who say it's a gateway drug well alcohol or any mind altering medication can also be a gateway drug.

Yea or Nay on Amendment 3 for marijuana legalization?

Absolutely beneficial to seniors; sleep, pain, reduces inflammation, blood pressure and I’m hearing better O’s for women. If used responsibly it would be a nice complement to your better well being.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

I've spent time in Denver before and after legalization. I don't believe that marijuana is the root cause of their problems. Many articles cite gang and gun violence as well as meth and opiodes have overtaken Denver. No mention of marijuana. I honestly have never seen a ring of pot smokers doing burglaries, robberies and gang-style shootings.

Most places that legalized weed have experienced lower crime (feel free to look up recent non-partisan studies) and also save money on people getting incarcerated for smoking a joint which is absurd when it's legal in many places and easy to access almost anywhere.

They legalized it in our area up north and the street dealers went out of business overnight and many just got legitimate jobs at dispensaries. Same thing happened when prohibition ended 100 years ago with alcohol.

I'm shocked that anyone is against all of the tax revenue that it produces. It's not like people start smoking weed when it becomes legal. That never happens.

I lived in Colorado Springs for 20 years and was in Denver weekly if not more during those years - I ABSOLUTELY saw an obvious and rapid deterioration of downtown Denver the same year pot became legalized. The homelessness problem exploded, as young people from around the country flooded the public parks to camp out and smoke pot in public. I first-hand witnessed restaurants and small, businesses flee downtown Denver, as the “riff raff” associated with the public pot smoking took over the downtown. Ask most Coloradans, and downtown Denver quickly became a “no go” zone, after previously being a mostly safe and clean area to dine and socialize.