Legalized marijuana turns Colorado resort town into homeless magnet

Fox News ^ | 5/17/2017 | Joseph J. Kolb

[Beave Meister]

town into homeless magnet By Joseph J. Kolb Published May 17, 2017 Fox News

NOW PLAYING New poll shows shift on marijuana legalization From his sidewalk vantage point in front of an outdoor equipment store in downtown Durango, Colo., Matthew Marinseck has seen a transformation in this mountain resort town.

The picturesque town near the New Mexico border, once a vibrant, upscale community dotted with luxury hotels, is being overrun by panhandlers – thanks, in part, to the legalization of marijuana.

The town suddenly became a haven for recreational pot users, drawing in transients, panhandlers and a large number of homeless drug addicts, according to officials and business owners. Many are coming from New Mexico, Arizona and even New York.

“Legalized marijuana has drawn a lot of kids here from other states and the impact has not all been good,” said Marinseck, 58, while holding a cardboard sign asking for “help.”

[wardaddy]

True but that’s kind of the paradox of the idyllic west these days

[laplata]

You understand that it’s a trade off paying a little more for living in an over-all nice place. My biggest complaint is there are too many liberals but they infest most nice places.

[HLPhat]

>>Doesn't that make marijuana a dream drug for those pushing collectivist agendas?

 

"According to my opinion, and the opinions of many defectors of my caliber, only about 15% of time, money, and manpower is spent on espionage as such. The other 85% is a slow process which we call either ideological subversion, active measures, or psychological warfare. What it basically means is: to change the perception of reality of every American that despite of the abundance of information no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their families, their community, and their country.

 

It's a great brainwashing process which goes very slow and is divided into four basic stages.

 

The first stage being "demoralization".

 

It takes from 15 to 20 years to demoralize a nation. Why that many years? Because this is the minimum number of years required to educate one generation of students in the country of your enemy exposed to the ideology of [their] enemy. In other words, Marxism-Leninism ideology is being pumped into the soft heads of at least 3 generation of American students without being challenged or counterbalanced by the basic values of Americanism; American patriotism.

 

Most of the activity of the department [KGB] was to compile huge amount / volume of information, on individuals who were instrumental in creating public opinion.  Publisher, editors, journalists, uh actors, educationalists, professors of political science.  Members of parliament, representatives of business circles. 

 

Most of these people were divided roughly into two groups:  those who would tow the Soviet foreign policy, they would be promoted to positions of power through media and public manipulation;  [and] those who refuse the Soviet influence in their own country would be character assassinated OR executed physically, come Revolution.  "

--KGB Defector Yuri Bezmenov

--Soviet Subversion of the Free Press (Ideological subversion, Destabilization, CRISIS - and the KGB)

[NobleFree]

I get the impression that there are many here at Free Republic, who support marijuana legalization based on being “libertarian” on the issue, and also based on “state’s rights”; that states, not the federal government, should make laws in this area.

I see a partial conflict, in that, if you are “libertarian”, you should also oppose a state restricting marijuana. If you are truly libertarian on the issue, you would leave it up to all individuals to decide whether to use marijuana.

I agree with your last sentence, but disagree that there is any conflict there with a states-right position. It seems to me entirely reasonable for a libertarian (which I don't consider myself, btw) to find state laws preferable to federal laws, while also finding individual liberty preferable to both.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Well you touch on prohibition.

But in a way you make the point I was trying to make. Which is that people will make comparisons, and say, well, if this substance is legal, what about that substance. People have done that all the time with marijuana, saying it’s no more dangerous than alcohol. And since alcohol is legal, pot should be as well.

I guess I wonder where lines will be drawn regarding drugs. And who decides what those lines will be.

[tired&retired]

I’m at an American Psychiatric Association Conference right now and they are discussing the increase in schizophrenia and other mental health issues resulting from the increase in cannabis and synthetic THC use.

Colorado is a model for study.

Also, the number of accidents caused by THC influence has surpassed alcohol in some areas.

Interesting path our country is taking.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Back in the 1970s the most popular bumper sticker was...
“DON’T CALIFORNICATE COLORADO”.

Last times I was through there it was.

[beaversmom]

You can’t base that it’s a “hole” on one news article! Most places have good and bad elements. I’d go to Durango in a heartbeat and not have any worries.

[beaversmom]

I've been to Utah MANY times, but this past Spring break my daughter, her cousin, and I came back home through the La Sals south of Moab and into Paradox, CO. I've been that way only one time before. Normally, I've gone the Fruita and Grand Junction way back home to Denver. It is amazingly gorgeous in there through Utah and Paradox. Very remote. Unfortunately, this last time, I went through there kinda late so we didn't get to see the gorgeousness that there is all the way up to Grand Junction.

This pic was taken in Paradox...just ranching there. I took it with my not so good cell phone cam, so it doesn't do it justice. I was driving my daughter nuts stopping every few feet to get pics. ;)

Disclaimer: No rich, Nomadic Californians are allowed to view this post!

[wardaddy]

I don’t see legalization beyond this

I didn’t support weed beyond personal or medical cultivation

We already gave methadone clinics in most cities

It’s not free but it’s technically legal

Of course it’s not enough for a serious junkie

All intoxicants are just not interchangeable

Alcohol is more like dope dope

An anesthetic

Pot is more like a psychoactive stimulant that morphs into a depressant

None of it’s harmless

I’ve seen weed trigger panic especially in women

[beaversmom]

Last times I was through there it was.

They and a couple of other demos are gonna do a number on this state eventually. Mostly the front range, that is. And I ain't talkin' 'bout pot heads.

[laplata]

What a gorgeous picture. Thanks!

“Disclaimer: No rich, Nomadic Californians are allowed to view this post”!

Or giant Colorado ants will visit you in California.

[dhs12345]

Actually, I live in CO and yes, the whole in general is a hole.

[HLPhat]

>>I’m at an American Psychiatric Association Conference right now and they are discussing the increase in schizophrenia

>>and other mental health issues resulting from the increase in cannabis and synthetic THC use.

>>Colorado is a model for study.

Will those discussions be documented for public use?

[TheStickman]

I feel sorry for you. So much rage. So much contempt. So much ignorance.

I forgive you & hope the Peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ fills you & surrounds you now & forever.

Genesis 1:29: God also said: See, I give you every seed-bearing plant on all the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food.

Cannabis is one of those seed bearing plants God gave to us. I am thankful to Him for this & all the other blessings He pours upon us daily.

[TheStickman]

Thanks for the kind words.

I will never understand the incoherent rage of some here at FR against people who use a plant for medicine. Feel really sorry for them.

Have a great rest of the day. Peace :)

[TheStickman]

“I’m at an American Psychiatric Association Conference right now and they are discussing the increase in schizophrenia and other mental health issues resulting from the increase in cannabis and synthetic THC use.”

Please share with us a link when this conference posts their data regarding cannabis & not the synthetic crap. Thanks :)

Also, who is paying the bill for this conference, if you know, please?

[laplata]

You’re welcome.

I don’t understand it, either.

I think some try to “out conservative” each other.

[TheStickman]

“Pot is more like a psychoactive stimulant that morphs into a depressant”

Evidence to back up this assertion is?

I ask because there are 2 basic strains of cannabis: indica & sativa. Indica is what will put you “in da couch” if you use too much. I use it nightly to help me sleep & wow! I’ve been sleeping very well since I started using cannabis in Feb 2015. Much better than when depression & anxiety ruled my life the previous 25 years.

Sativa is generally uplifting when used in moderation. It keeps my depression away after the day’s work is done.

I’ve yet to feel even remotely depressed after the psychoactive effect of the medicine is over. Not a single time. I use it daily in small doses 2-3 times a day. If what you claim were true, I’d be a sniveling crybaby again.

Granted it’s not for everyone just as pharma meds don’t work for everyone. That said, I sure see a lot of “experts” making claims that just don’t hold up in light of my personal experience as a medicinal cannabis user.

[TheStickman]

PS: A) I don’t live in Colorado. B)I voted for medical cannabis here in Floriduh & the amendment won with 71% of the vote. C)I’m a ardent Trump supporter as well.

Take care :)