[ClearCase_guy]

I think it was a poor decision to legalize it.

But as an intended federated union of the several states, this is precisely the sort of state-level legislation that I would like to see. Imagine the two scenarios:

#1) Colorado has had legal marijuana for some years. Tax revenue to through the roof! Drug-related crime is down! Agriculture is booming! Everybody is happy!

#2) It’s been a disaster! Crime is up! Welfare is up! Homelessness is up! Tax revenue can’t keep up with the rising cost of social services. This is awful!

Once you get real evidence that either #1 or #2 is the outcome of legal marijuana, then other states can decide on how they want to handle such legislation. Until it is put into practice, all you have is opinion: “It’s gonna be awesome!” or “Those darn kids will ruin everything!”

For better or worse, I see Colorado as the canary in the coal mine.

[Skooz]

Outstanding post. I agree 100%.

[morphing libertarian]

Freedom

[Wolfie]

Of the items in your scenarios, only revenue...tax and profit...matters. Capitalism rocks.

[so_real]

Bingo. Colorado is the canary in the coal mine. We need 50 independent experiments for this reason. (Which is why unifying departments, like the Department of Education, are just plain wrong for the U.S.A)

[Responsibility2nd]

Yes. Colorado was the guinea pig. Now other states can look at what happened there and say; “No Thanks”.

Although I am for limited measures of decriminalization - it should be obvious to even a stoner - Open legalization is a disaster.

[Ouderkirk]

I see Colorado as the canary in the coal mine.

Agreed, a necessary step to end the discussion one way or the another.

[DiogenesLamp]

For better or worse, I see Colorado as the canary in the coal mine.

The utter mess that is California was not a good enough canary?

[Yaelle]

Nailed it. Federalism is awesome. States can learn from each other. If they open their closed little minds sometimes.