Thursday 22 October 2015

Colorado Since Cannabis Legalization

This image was recently posted on the Reefer Revolution Facebook page.
It received some backlash from some prohibitionists calling to explain the difference between causation and correlation (like their arguments do!) Reefer Revolution responded brilliantly, justifying and backing up each of their claims. Here's what they said:
"
It should be noted that the main message in this post is that the world hasn’t ended since Amendment 64 was passed in Colorado! The first image sates: ‘Since Colorado legalized cannabis, they have blown away the propaganda’. This provides the context for the rest of the statements. Those questioning correlation and causation should look to the correlation between this posts statements and prohibitionist arguments if they want to see the causation for each being included. The image demonstrates some of the positives that have come from legalization, while dismissing some of the outdated ‘doomsday’ arguments that are still too often perpetuated by prohibitionists. It is simple, yet absolutely sensationalist, pro-legalization propaganda in the ‘war on drugs’. It is a justified attack on prohibitionist rhetoric in general, an attack on a movement that has deprived people of beneficial medicine and criminalised innocent people who enjoy relaxing with cannabis, it’s a psychological bullet aimed at changing opinions and attitudes! Despite this, each statement can be argued and ratified with credible sources; can the same always be said of the oppressors’ arguments in this ‘war’?

“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON

Claim 1 – Less Children Use Pot.
If you follow the debate closely you will have probably come across prohibitionists worried of a cannabis epidemic if laws are relaxed, kids everywhere toking up and becoming worthless nobodies, leaching off the hard working tax payer their entire lives. That just isn’t what has happened though, and the argument completely overlooks the fact that drug dealers don’t ask for ID, but licensed and regulated shops do.

“According to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, marijuana use among Colorado teens has gone down slightly since the state legalized recreational cannabis use in 2012.”
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/so-far.../article/2551843

In this article they interestingly record the stats accurately yet for some reason call in an ‘expert’ for really poor analysis. Apparently a 20% drop in high school pot use in 4 years between 2009 and 2013 in Colorado (from 25% down to 20%), despite the national average rising, isn’t significant. I would beg to differ.
http://www.usnews.com/.../pot-use-among-colorado-teens...

“In the 2013 Healthy Kids Colorado survey, 37 percent of high school students reported that they had ever tried marijuana, down from 39 percent in 2011. The percentage who reported using marijuana in the previous month (a.k.a. "current" use) also declined, from 22 percent in 2011 to 20 percent in 2013.”
https://reason.com/.../despite-legalization-colorado...
Claim 2 – Traffic fatalities are at all-time lows.
The Colorado Department of Transportation published a document showing a steady decrease in traffic fatalities over the last 12 years. This is fact. The statement in the image doesn’t attribute this tolegalizing cannabis. It’s included to demonstrate this steady fall DESPITE steady relaxation of cannabis laws in Colorado over the last 15 years since Amendment 20 was passed. This is in stark contrast to the scare tactics still perpetuated by prohibitionists that relaxing pot laws would result in drug drivers everywhere killing everyone.

https://www.codot.gov/.../Colorado_Historical.../view
It is a general tendency of pro-legalization advocates to compare cannabis and alcohol to highlight hypocrisy in cannabis prohibition. I’m not above this. While I’m sure there aren’t many that will condone drink driving, nobody seems to be calling to ban alcohol because of the potential dangers of drunk drivers, despite drunk drivers being considerably worse than stoned drivers.
“Last month, researchers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that drivers who use marijuana are significantly less likely to crash than drunk drivers. That much may seem obvious, but here’s the kicker: drivers with THC in their systems (adjusted for age, gender, race, and alcohol use) were no more likely to crash than those who had not used drugs or alcohol before getting behind the wheel.”

http://www.attn.com/.../891/effects-of-marijuana-on-driving

This is not condoning driving while baked, merely highlighting the cognitive dissonance apparent in the oppressors argument.
Claim 3 – Fewer people take dangerous meds.
Ok so this is perhaps ambiguous, particularly to those who do not follow the debate closely, but arguable in many contexts nonetheless. For the sake of this argument let’s take opioids as they are the biggest killer of all the prescription drugs, up to 40%!

“States with medical cannabis laws had a 24.8% lower mean annual opioid overdose mortality rate (95% CI, −37.5% to −9.5%; P = .003) compared with states without medical cannabis laws”

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx...
Claim 4 – Lazy? Nope. Record setting job growth.
Similar to the myth purported that legalizing cannabis would mean more kids smoking pot, it is often said that cannabis legalization would signal the beginning of the end, a rapid decline of society intoa baked zombies apocalypse incapable of being productive members of the community. The statement in no insinuates cannabis is solely responsible for record setting job growth; it just points out that this record setting growth has happened DESPITE legalizing cannabis. Fact.
“Colorado employers added more jobs in June than they have in any single month since official counts began back in 1939.”

http://www.denverpost.com/.../colorado-adds-11-300-jobs-june
And let’s not forget the role cannabis has played not just in that job growth, but in the economic growth of Colorado in general. Labelled the ‘green-rush’ it’s set to rapidly become a billion dollar industry, has created more than 16,000 fairly well paid jobs ($15+ph) and generated more than $100 billion to date in tax revenues which have been actively and directly ploughed into schools. And this doesn’t include the other economic benefits such as tax on the employees earnings, benefits to secondary industries, inter alia.

https://www.drugpolicy.org/.../Colorado_Marijuana...
http://www.denverpost.com/.../pot-revenues-starting-help...
Claim 5 – Violent Crime Dropped
Between 2000 (when cannabis laws first started to be relaxed) and 2013 (the most recent data), violent crime rate averages at 346.79 per 100,000 people. In the 14 years previous to that (1986-1999) it averages 471.59 per 100,000 people. This is a staggering fall of 26.5%, hardly insignificant, and CERTAINLY NOT proof of reefer madness. Feel free to crunch the numbers yourself.
http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/cocrime.htm
Claim 6 – More tax money than alcohol
Ah, a nice easy one to end with. Colorado raked in nearly $70 million from cannabis taxes in the fiscal year ending June 30th 2015. Alcohol trickled in a mere $42 million. Fact.

http://time.com/4037604/colorado-marijuana-tax-revenue/
"
They concluded by addressing some issues raised in other comments, ending with a succinct stating demonstrating the moral corruption in letting cannabis remain illegal.

"To address concerns about the lack of negatives of legalization included in the image such as the housing crisis, I would point out that it’s the opposition’s job to highlight the bad things, but that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss them here! I will quote someone else who commented, because to be blunt (no pun intended), I don’t think I can put it better myself. “We need to remember that the results of these types of changes in our society will initially cause some upheavals in how we function as a society. This is a major change and is affecting almost every aspect of our culture as we know it. How do we address this regarding the workplace, insurances, laws...we have a lot of wrinkles to work out, but we need patience and diligence. It takes time for change to level itself.” The only thing I would add to that is just like cannabis legalization isn’t the sole reason for record job growth or decreased driving fatalities, neither is it the sole reason for a mass influx of people. A booming economy will do that, take a look at EU migration since freedom of movement came around in the region.
Locking people in a cage for choosing to relax with cannabis recreationally is immoral. Locking people in a cage for using cannabis as a medicine is criminal. Period."

Bravo Reefer Revolution, bravo!

40 comments:

  1. And despite all of these positive things Colorado is experiencing... it remains illegal most of the nation.

    I mean what more proof do we need? I suppose the prison industrial complex has too much sway. And the drug barons, and law enforcement, and all the other massive entities that stand to profit from the prohibition of marijuana.

    Sigh.

    FZ @ HerbTools

    ReplyDelete
  2. Once the reports are validated, you can then proceed onward to the following stride which is the beginning of the archive sanctioning procedure. apostille

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cannabis oil is the most concentrated form of the three main cannabis products. That is what makes cannabis oil the most potent.exclusive extracts

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those questioning correlation and causation should look to the correlation between this posts statements.canadian seedbank

    ReplyDelete
  5. A typical bong is usually made of acrylic and glass, although they come in a range of other Materials such as crystal bongs, acrylic bongs, percolator bongs, metal bongs, bamboo bongs and Portable bongs. herb tools

    ReplyDelete
  6. When it comes to health related matters, the use of herbal vaporizers may after all not be that biased. This is because the use of herbal vaporizers ensures that all carcinogens and any other toxicants are eliminated. moon rocks weed

    ReplyDelete
  7. If you are planning to grow cannabis at your home or any other place, you need to look at several cultivation requirements or conditions in which the plant gets flourished. KIND LED XL750

    ReplyDelete
  8. Based on restricted confirmation, cannabis is compelling in the treatment of Tourette disorder.
    cbd shop

    ReplyDelete
  9. These days, cannabis is recognized as a medication. Cannabis is prohibited in numerous nations. cbd

    ReplyDelete
  10. These days, cannabis is distinguished as a medication. Cannabis is restricted in numerous nations. http://verifiedcbd.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Make sure that you are creating backlinks only with relevant websites. CBD Oil Manufacturer Florida

    ReplyDelete
  12. For detoxification, eat primarily green leafy vegetables such as fresh organic spinach, kale and collard greens along with fresh, chlorella, avocado, cilantro and parsley (drink a tea that is steeped in a bunch of clantro and parsely). cannabis wax

    ReplyDelete
  13. In any case, solid interest for Australian products has helped the Australian market to remain generally un-harried to date. CBD vape oil

    ReplyDelete
  14. It can help in lessening agony caused CBD Oil Tinctures because of any sort of joint pain, inside aggravation and so forth.

    ReplyDelete
  15. A study by the National Institute of Health found that CBD causes the body to release more endocannabinoids, especially 2-AG. Moreover, CBD inhibits the degradation of anandamide.cbd oil for sale

    ReplyDelete
  16. Presently it is demonstrated that CBD additionally has hostile to carcinogenic properties that it can slow the development of the tumor and even diminish its size now and again.
    CBD oil

    ReplyDelete
  17. The receptors are liable for mind-set, feelings, torment, development, coordination, recollections, hunger, thinking, and numerous different capacities. THC influences these receptors. CBD

    ReplyDelete
  18. If you want to start and run your business successfully, we suggest that you identify our target market. The demand for this product is huge all over the world. Since the product offers restorative properties and pain reducing elements, cancer patients have a great demand for it.CBD

    ReplyDelete
  19. Unlike THC, CBD does not bind directly into our cannabinoid receptors. Nevertheless, it does stimulate the activity of both CB1 and CB2 receptors without directly tapping into them.CBD gummies

    ReplyDelete
  20. The state government reinforces patients to develop their Medical Marijuana Cards from a state-authorized Clinics and Treatment in Denver for example Therapeutics situated in Denver, or assign a parental figure to do as such. Cannabis Seeds

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think other web site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and magnificent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
    Purocuro,
    Pukka Juice,
    Pod Salt,

    ReplyDelete
  22. . Canines likewise have the equivalent endocannabinoid framework which can collaborate with endocannabinoids which are discharged by the mind. https://cbdreamers.com/best-cbd-oils

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gum Contouring - In this process, the additional gum tissues are removed using the scalpel or laser, making the teeth seem large and equal in the proportion with your gums. CBD gummy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Prior to 2017, CBD products were available only in head shops, natural food stores, and at a few doctor's offices. Since that time, the market has exploded and CBD products are now available in natural food stores, check it out national food stores, beauty salons, nail salons, convenience stores, and even gas stations. But, are these CBD products manufactured from safe CBD oil?

    ReplyDelete
  25. While research into the benefits of using Cannabidiol oil is still in the very early stages. On saying this, bestecbdolie.com there has been plenty conducted and the studies have begun to show that the oil does seem to have therapeutic effects when used to treat a wide range of conditions.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Garments frill assumes crucial part in current design patterns.CBD TOPICAL PAIN SALVE RUBS

    ReplyDelete
  27. When you purchase from suppliers located in Colorado or if your supplier uses other third party organizations that certify that you are buying safe products, Buy Pot In Nanaimo, BC you can be assured that CBD products like bath bombs, CBD drops, gummies, gel caps, relief creams, ointments, and more are safe to consume and use.

    ReplyDelete
  28. CBD can be consumed in the form of candy or tea. It can also be applied directly to the affected part in the form of oil or cream. cbd edibles

    ReplyDelete
  29. In other words, cannabis is addictive psychologically. The effect is quite similar to steroids that are anabolic in nature. What is more, autoflower seeds for sale addicts of several hard drugs have been found to be the sources of major sociological or health problems.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The young people took CBD oil tablets to diminish their sentiments of social tension and it indicated promising outcomes. how long does cbd take to feel effect

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really appreciate your work which you have shared here about theBest Cannabis. The article you have shared here is very informative and the points you have mentioned are very helpful. Thank you so much. Best Cannabis Flower in Michigan

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for sharing such a Magnificent post. I found this blog very useful for future references. keep sharing such informative blogs with us. CBD Online Store in UK

    ReplyDelete
  33. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading.smoke shops onlineI am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You are sharing a particularly decent article here.cbd oil for sleep south africa It is a significant and factual article for us. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for sharing this amazing and great content. I have really learned a lot over here and i will recommend this blog to my friends so that they will also come and learn and share information over here. Please permit me to share my link over here https://ukweedfarm.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is very educational content and written well for a change. It's nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post.! Best Pre rolled backwoods for sale service provider.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Cannabis oil is an oleoresin acquired by the extraction of cannabis or hashish.

    ReplyDelete
  38. سلام وقت بخیر

    مطالبتون عالی بود و جامع.

    در صورت نیاز به طراحی لوگو حرفه ای در ریوال آنلاین با مرکز روابط عمومی آژانس در تماس باشید.

    ReplyDelete
  39. The term cannabis is used loosely here to represent cannabis and marijuana, the latter being sourced from a different part of the plant. CBD Gummies

    ReplyDelete