“It can be just devastating to watch a child in that state” Marijuana lobbyists promised states like Colorado and California that they could legalize marijuana and make lots of money. What actually happened is that the illegal businesses, especially those controlled by cartels and triads, soared, while the ‘legal’ taxable businesses struggled to compete because of high taxes and high prices. Social problems caused by a boom in marijuana use soared, boosting the homeless crisis in Denver, ground zero for drug legalization, and major cities where pot had been legalized. There’s also another side effect.