Colorado State University To Study Marijuana Legalization’s Impact On Communities

In the lead up to the successful marijuana legalization vote in Colorado in 2012, marijuana opponent Kevin Sabet made the outlandish claim that for every dollar that marijuana legalization would generate for Colorado, there wouldbe ten dollars in social costs. These social costs include policing stoned drivers, dealing with an uptick in addiction, and a bunch of other stuff that never really became reality. Kevin Sabet has been blasted many times for trying that scare tactic, and rightfully so.

The impact that marijuana legalization has had on Colorado communities has been very positive. Jobs are being created, and tax revenues are being generated. Those marijuana tax dollars are helping schools and homeless communities in Colorado. There are even scholarships set up which are funded by marijuana tax revenues. In every measurable way cannabis legalization is working in Colorado. Colorado State University-Pueblo recently received funding to study what the actual impact marijuana legalization has had on Colorado communities. PerThe Denver Channel:

On Monday, Pueblo County officials agreed to provide up to $270,000 in funding to research the impact of marijuana on the community and the efficacy of treating various issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder, with medical marijuana.

Also, a new law calls for $900,000 from Colorados Marijuana Tax Cash Fund to be given to CSU-Pueblo for cannabis research. Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 191 on Monday, June 6.

This is a momentous day, the statement quoted Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace as saying. I am incredibly excited to have real quantifiable data about how cannabis is affecting our community ...