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Title: The Denver suburb of Aurora is using recreational marijuana sales tax revenue to help the homeless
Source:
CBS News
URL Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/legal-m ... -drawing-homeless-to-colorado/
Published: May 3, 2016
Author: Staff
Post Date: 2016-05-19 12:56:40 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 20384
Comments: 115
DENVER -- Chris Easterling was sick of relying on drug dealers in Minneapolis when he needed marijuana to help ease the pain of multiple sclerosis. They were flaky, often leaving the homeless man without the drug when he needed relief the most. So he moved to Denver, where legal pot dispensaries are plentiful and accessible. Easterling is among a growing number of homeless people who have recently come to Colorado seeking its legal marijuana, and who now remain in the state and occupy beds in shelters, according to service providers. While no state agency records how many homeless people were drawn by legal weed, officials at homeless centers say the influx they are seeing is straining their ability to meet the needs of the increasing population. "The older ones are coming for medical (marijuana), the younger ones are coming just because it's legal," said Brett Van Sickle, director of Denver's Salvation Army Crossroads Shelter, which has more than doubled its staff to accommodate the increase. The shelter did an informal survey of the roughly 500 new out-of-towners who stayed there between July and September and found as many as 30 percent had relocated for pot, he said. Shelters in some other parts of the state said they haven't noticed the problem or haven't surveyed their residents about it. Colorado's homeless population and its marijuana dispensaries are both concentrated in Denver, which could be why centers say they are experiencing a more noticeable rise. Other factors could be driving the rising homeless rates. Colorado's economy is thriving, but the number of affordable homes and apartments is shrinking. Julie Smith of Denver's Road Home, a city plan that aims to end homelessness, said the city's rising overall population could be a reason for an increase in the number homeless people. She said the agency has heard anecdotal reports about homeless people moving to the state for the marijuana, but officials don't have any numbers to support that assertion. The city is eager to see the results of a study by Metropolitan State University of Denver's Criminal Justice and Criminology Department of issues related to legal marijuana, including any correlation between legal marijuana and rates of homelessness. Assistant professor Rebecca Trammell said the researchers did interviews with shelter employees and volunteers after hearing anecdotes about the problem but have no preliminary findings. Many of those staying in shelters come to Denver with big plans and find they can't make ends meet, said Tom Luehrs, executive director of capital city's Saint Francis Center. The shelter has seen an increase from 730 people a day in 2013 to 780 people this year, and as many as 300 new faces a month. Not all of them are pot-smokers, Luehrs said, but many have said they were drawn to the state because of legal marijuana. Shelters in Washington state haven't experienced a noticeable influx since that state's legal recreational sales started in July. Capt. Dana Libby, Seattle Social Services director for the Salvation Army, said the economy is largely to blame for the high rates of homelessness there. In Colorado, some out-of-town homeless are seeking jobs in the marijuana industry. "There's an enormous migration, even a homeless movement, so to speak," David Spencer, a homeless man from Tennessee, told CBS Denver. "I figured this would be a good place to start over." But the homeless learn only after arriving that they lack the two-year residency requirement needed to work in a dispensary. Others have felony records that make them ineligible, Van Sickle said. Van Sickle's shelter prohibits weed and other drugs, which means those who stay there have to leave the property to smoke. Van Sickle said he has been confiscating more pot and paraphernalia, though he doesn't keep track of how much. Arnold Kelley got lucky. The 60-year-old retired plumber, tired of risking arrest for pot-smoking, moved from Memphis, Tennessee, and got a job fixing pipes at a Denver dispensary. The dispensary helped him get a license to use medical marijuana and paid him in pot for his work. He said pot improved his appetite and lessened his anxiety. "Once I got here, the industry was good to me," he said. But it didn't pay the bills, and Kelley finds himself staying often at Crossroads. The Denver area is seeing younger homeless people, too. Urban Peak, which provides services for those ages 15 to 25, says it saw 829 people between May and July at its drop-in center, up from 328 during the same time period a year earlier. About a third of this year's newcomers cited legal weed as a factor in moving to Colorado, said Kim Easton, the director. Many of the older men, like Easterling, live exclusively on disability benefits and use them to buy pot, since there's nothing to stop someone from using welfare benefits to obtain cash to use at pot shops. "I'm staying here," he said, between puffs on an electronic smoking device filled with pot oil. "This is my home."
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#31. To: GrandIsland (#27)
You make up stories like my friend with Tourettes Syndrome. Every pothead I know works for a living. A few are retired with Purple Hearts from Vietnam.
That's because you are smarter than a Paultard Deckard. Excellent. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Excellent. The government has no role in abusing POWER due to medical use for any narcotic.
I don't make up shit, grandpa. I work in a Maximim security prison. Every pothead in there is a jobless turd. Thousands of them.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
You'd be surprised. I didn't know they did what they did when I was strait laced. When I loosened up, and they trusted me I learned about reality. It doesn't bother me at all and I don't think any less of them. FireIsland acts so sanctimonious...it makes me ill.
Why don't you get a real job? Get out and see the real world. No wonder you're so bitter.
You might wanna check your states laws and review USSC case law, Sonny. I think you're hitting the glass pipe again. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
So why are you playing RAMBO in your mother's basement with tens of thousands of primers when you can be assured that the nice constaple on patrol will save your worthless ass when the SHTF? You make no sense.
Why don't you get a real job? Get out and see the real world. No wonder you're so bitter. It's a second pension job... and im a pro at dealing with shitbirds. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
That's because you're a drug addled hippie libtard tool bag. Sober up. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
LQQK ... you believe in the government and they are here to save you. Why are you a paranoid, delusional mental patient worried for your personal safety when government is here to save your worthless ass?
I don't trust the government any more than I trust a kook like you. And if and when we collapse, there will be a big game Sucky Bucky season. Year around.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
You trust the government because you are on the receiving end of the chow line ... a government pension. You beg your petty 3 hundred dollar a month check arrives on time. Meanwhile you claim to have stockpiled thousands of primers for the SHTF; now you don't trust the government; meanwhile, LF is confused because you calim to be a retired constaple on patrol which infers you trust your brethren to save your ass just like your 300 bucks a month. You make no sense.
Add another zero... shitbag. Haaaaaa I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
3K....... NYS pension 1,200... My next pension after 12 years 1,800... My SS 1,100... My wife's SS 7,100 a month in 11 years. I'll go on a cruise, 4 months later vacation on a all inclusive resort... 4 months later another cruse... 4 months later another resort... and so on until I die. lol I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! One can enjoy a life of natural highs…there is no need for the illegal drugs.
Pot: The Poverty Magnet
Who says it doesn't? "For the first time since the tech boom, Colorado added nearly 101,000 people to its population in a single year [...] Net migration —more people moving to the state than leaving — accounts for about two-thirds of the population gain" - www.denverpost.com/busine...ulation-jumped-by-101-000 A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. False analogy - someone else's pot use violates none of your rights. A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. And every non-pothead in there is - what - a sterling citizen who was framed? A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. Nor for the legal ones. What's the public policy conclusion? A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. You'd be surprised. Life is full of surprises. As long as they do not light up in front of me or flaunt it they can do as they wish. OTOH if they smoking in front of there grandkids or other children then I would have a problem and likely terminate our acquaintance. потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
That's the American conservative spirit. Some who like to fancy themselves American conservatives are apparently tortured by the knowledge that somebody somewhere might be having a kind of fun of which they disapprove. A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. You mean like pedophiles for example? потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
You mean like pedophiles for example? No, I mean like pot smokers, who (with the exception of parents of minors who inebriate themselves to the point of being unable to meet their parental duties) violate nobody's rights. Pedophilic acts always violate the rights of the child. A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. That alcohol is part of the American culture and tradition and has been so for hundreds of years. That we tried banning it once to no avail. That, despite the pain, misery and death that it causes, is something we'll have to learn to live with. And finally, that if we had the opportunity to legalize even more recreational drugs to add to the pain, misery, and death, we would not do so.
Marijuana has been widely used in America for over half a century and is near if not over 50% lifetime use. And our attempt to ban it seems to have availed primarily to enrich cartels and other criminals. A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. Always as part of the sub-culture.
That's tautologically true if you assume your conclusion by defining the subculture to encompass all pot use. Can you support your claim without thus assuming your conclusion? A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. Are you saying marijuana is accepted as part of our culture?
Yet you see no parallels between banning alcohol and the current prohibition on drugs. You admit the first one was a failure - when will you wake up and realize that the current one is as well? Some don't accept marijuana use - some don't accept alcohol use. You're the one making claims about "culture" and "subculture" so you're the one who needs to define those terms. Or just continue handwaving ... your call. A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. Other than the obvious parallel (illegality), no. "You admit the first one was a failure - when will you wake up and realize that the current one is as well?" Do you mean because some states legalized medical marijuana? Yeah. That's a failure. Do you mean some states decriminalizing marijuana? Yeah. That's a failure. Do you mean some states actually legalizing marijuana? Yeah. That's a failure. Do you mean Obama's justice department refusing to enforce federal drug laws? Yeah. That's a failure. In spite of all that, marijuana use has remained relatively flat for the last 20-25 years. That's not failure. Do you want to actually reduce use? Do you? Really? I know how, but you won't like it.
ALL illicit drug use has remained flat despite spending trillions of dollars. Yeah - I got a real good idea what you would propose. Sounds like it to me - use of the drugs tobacco and alcohol has declined for much if not all of that time, and they're not even illegal. A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. Or selectively enforcing them in different states. So much for due process.
Marijuana use would have declined also, had it not been for the four issues I raised. That's not failure.
Legalization is the case in only four states, and like Obama's nonenforcement covers only a few of the last 20-25 years. As for decriminalization and medical, those hold in less than half the states; are you claiming that marijuana use fell in states that have neither? And that, as a corollary, it rose in the states that have one or both (so that the national average be flat)? A government strong enough to impose your standards is strong enough to ban them. Yeah... 2/3 gain of potheads. Just what any state wants. Wonderful. lol
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
It does when they burglarize my house while I work because they want to sell my xbox at the local pawn shop to buy an ounce of weed to fuel their addiction.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Their aren't any "non potheads" in prison. There isn't one of these dysfunctional scumbag mother F'ers that wouldn't stick a shank in their cell mates back for their stash of weed. Wake the F' up, Paultard. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Comments (72 - 115) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestMost were jobless.
#32. To: SOSO (#30)
am not aware that I do. Personally I think that, save for legitimate medical reasons, toking up is BS. I am over 70 and neither my wife nor I have ever used weed or any other recreational drug. We have had a very rich, rewarding, and fulfilling life to date without that sh*t. I saw what drugs did to the heavy weight musicians I used to hang around with when I was a teenager and decided at a very young age that even with all of their talent they were a said and wasted life.
#33. To: SOSO (#30)
... save for legitimate medical reasons ...
#34. To: Fred Mertz (#31)
#35. To: SOSO (#30)
I am not aware that I do.
#36. To: GrandIsland (#34)
I work in a Maximim security prison.
#37. To: buckeroo (#33)
Excellent. The government has no role in abusing POWER due to medical use for any narcotic.
#38. To: GrandIsland (#34)
I don't make up shit ...
#39. To: Fred Mertz (#36)
#40. To: buckeroo (#38)
You make no sense.
#41. To: GrandIsland (#40)
#42. To: buckeroo (#41)
#43. To: GrandIsland (#42)
#44. To: buckeroo (#43)
your petty 3 hundred dollar a month
#45. To: buckeroo (#43)
(Edited)
#46. To: SOSO (#30)
We have had a very rich, rewarding, and fulfilling life to date without that sh*t.
#47. To: Gatlin (#1)
#48. To: GrandIsland (#7)
Why doesn't dope cause hard working capitalist types to flock?
#49. To: GrandIsland (#19)
They are like that asshole neighbor that lets his dog shit in your yard.
#50. To: GrandIsland (#34)
I work in a Maximim security prison. Every pothead in there is a jobless turd.
#51. To: Gatlin (#46)
One can enjoy a life of natural highs…there is no need for the illegal drugs.
#52. To: Fred Mertz (#35)
I am not aware that I do.
#53. To: SOSO (#52)
As long as they do not light up in front of me or flaunt it they can do as they wish.
#54. To: ConservingFreedom (#53)
Some who like to fancy themselves American conservatives are apparently tortured by the knowledge that somebody somewhere might be having a kind of fun of which they disapprove.
#55. To: SOSO (#54)
"Some who like to fancy themselves American conservatives are apparently tortured by the knowledge that somebody somewhere might be having a kind of fun of which they disapprove."
#56. To: ConservingFreedom (#51)
"Nor for the legal ones. What's the public policy conclusion?"
#57. To: misterwhite (#56)
That alcohol is part of the American culture and tradition and has been so for hundreds of years. That we tried banning it once to no avail.
#58. To: ConservingFreedom (#57)
"Marijuana has been widely used in America for over half a century and is near if not over 50% lifetime use."
#59. To: misterwhite (#58)
Always as part of the sub-culture.
#60. To: ConservingFreedom (#59)
"Can you support your claim without thus assuming your conclusion?"
#61. To: misterwhite (#56)
That we tried banning it once to no avail.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#62. To: misterwhite (#60)
Are you saying marijuana is accepted as part of our culture?
#63. To: Deckard (#61)
"Yet you see no parallels between banning alcohol and the current prohibition on drugs."
#64. To: misterwhite (#63)
(Edited)
In spite of all that, marijuana use has remained relatively flat for the last 20-25 years.
I know how, but you won't like it.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#65. To: misterwhite (#63)
marijuana use has remained relatively flat for the last 20-25 years. That's not failure.
#66. To: misterwhite (#63)
Do you mean Obama's justice department refusing to enforce federal drug laws?
#67. To: ConservingFreedom (#65)
"use of the drugs tobacco and alcohol has declined for much if not all of that time"
#68. To: misterwhite (#67)
Marijuana use would have declined also, had it not been for the four issues I raised.
#69. To: ConservingFreedom (#48)
#70. To: ConservingFreedom (#49)
#71. To: ConservingFreedom (#50)
And every non-pothead in there is - what - a sterling citizen who was framed?
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