When Colorado voted to legalize recreational marijuana four years ago, one of the move's chief critics was Gov. John Hickenlooper.
The moderate Democrat said that if he could "wave a magic wand" to reverse the decision, he would. Then he called voters "reckless" for approving it in the first place, a remark he later downgraded to "risky."
Colorado is known for many great things, Hickenlooper said. Marijuana should not be one of them.
But the governors views have softened. During a recent panel discussion at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, he said that despite opposing the legalization of pot, his job was to deliver on the will of the people of Colorado.
If I had that magic wand now, I dont know if I would wave it, he said. Its beginning to look like it might work.
It was the latest in a series of comments Hickenlooper has made signaling what looks like an evolution of his views on marijuana. In April last year, during an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, Hickenlooper said legal weed was not as vexing as we thought it was going to be.
And during an appearance on "60 Minutes," he predicted that Colorado might actually create a system that could work in successfully regulating marijuana.
Why the change?
The predictions of fire and brimstone have failed to materialize, said Mason Tvert, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, a national group working to reform pot laws. Most Coloradoans, including the governor, recognize that the law is working.
From the start, Hickenlooper saw the legalization of marijuana as a great national experiment, something utterly new in this country and fraught with potential public health and safety issues.
He fretted about a potential rise in drug use among children and was clearly uncomfortable with an amendment directly conflicting with federal law, which considers pot an illegal drug on par with cocaine.
There were plenty of snags at first. Marijuana edibles proved especially problematic because few people had experience with them. High-profile overdoses made national news. Just last week a lawsuit was filed against the maker of a marijuana-laced candy, alleging the product triggered a "psychotic episode" that caused a man to kill his wife in 2014.
Still, none of Hickenloopers worst fears were realized.
Colorado is booming. The state has a 4.2% unemployment rate, one of the best in the country. High-tech companies are moving in. Small towns across the state, some once teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, have been saved by tax revenues from pot dispensaries. And the $1-billion-a-year cannabis business will pump $100 million in taxes into state coffers this year.
Andrew Freedman, director of marijuana coordination for Colorado, said the governors views reflect a growing sense of optimism about how the industry is regulated.
In the short run, there have been a lot fewer public safety and health issues than the governor feared in the beginning, said Freedman, who is often referred to as the states marijuana czar. In the beginning, we had problems with edibles and hash oil fires but now, for the most part, Colorado looks a lot like it did before legalization.
Marijuana consumption has not changed much from pre-legalization levels and there has been no significant increase in public health and safety problems, he said.
As for the $100 million in tax revenue, Freedman noted, that's out of a $27-billion state budget.
Some 70% of the money is earmarked for school construction, public health initiatives and other projects. The rest goes back into regulating the industry.
The governor has called this a grand experiment from the beginning. He looks at data points as he goes along and I think hes pleasantly surprised that there were not as many challenges as he thought, Freedman said.
He would say the jury is still out on this experiment but hes optimistic.
Some are less circumspect.
The states image is actually rising. We were just ranked as the best place to live in America, Tvert said. The idea that businesses would not relocate here or conferences wouldnt be held here was untrue. In fact, attendees at conferences are now offered pot tours as day trips.
Kelly is a special correspondent based in Denver.
#48: ConservingFreedom To: Gatlin (#46)
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 14:10:40 Reply Private Reply
#49: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#44)
So unregulated legal pot will less negatively impact other states?
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 14:12:02 Reply Private Reply
#50: Gatlin To: ConservingFreedom (#46)
Marijuana is made legal hospital visits increase fourfold and we are suppose to believe that the increase in the hospital visits has no correlation with marijuana being made legal, but maybe with ingrown toenails.
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-18 14:31:40 Reply Private Reply
#51: Gatlin To: ConservingFreedom (#48)
Right ... Sure.
Got it.
Oh, BTW - how many people are admitted to the hospitals from "exposure" to oxygen?
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-18 14:38:18 Reply Private Reply
#52: ConservingFreedom To: Gatlin (#50)
What's funny and ridiculous is that you think this is what the report said.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 14:52:58 Reply Private Reply
#53: ConservingFreedom To: Gatlin (#51)
Not "from" - "with". And I already told you the answer: 100%.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 14:53:52 Reply Private Reply
#54: Roscoe To: ConservingFreedom (#39)
It has already gone to another court.
Nice foot shot.
Roscoe posted on 2016-05-18 15:19:18 Reply Private Reply
#55: Roscoe To: Gatlin (#37)
Obama enforces federal law differently in different states as the potheads cheer him on.
Roscoe posted on 2016-05-18 15:22:39 Reply Private Reply
#56: ConservingFreedom To: Roscoe (#54)
Where it will continue to go nowhere.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 15:29:27 Reply Private Reply
#57: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#49)
I never said it should be unregulated. I said Colorado shouldn't regulate it because they've shown they're incapable.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-18 17:00:54 Reply Private Reply
#58: Roscoe To: ConservingFreedom (#56)
consider source
Roscoe posted on 2016-05-18 17:14:22 Reply Private Reply
#59: Roscoe To: misterwhite (#42)
His feelings.
Roscoe posted on 2016-05-18 17:16:02 Reply Private Reply
#60: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#57)
That's where the suit would leave it - as I already quoted: 'They do not challenge Colorados authority to legalize marijuana generally, nor do they seek an order compelling Colorado law enforcement officials to take any particular actions against marijuana traffickers. They in fact disclaim any intent to do so: Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana or to strip Colorado authorities of prosecutorial discretion.'
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 17:20:58 Reply Private Reply
#61: Roscoe To: ConservingFreedom (#60)
Keep going, dullard.
Roscoe posted on 2016-05-18 17:26:34 Reply Private Reply
#62: ConservingFreedom To: Roscoe (#61)
That's where the source I quoted stopped, halfwit.
That is, their regulation of legal pot, whose end would leave unregulated (by Colorado) pot. Do try to keep up.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 17:31:39 Reply Private Reply
#63: Roscoe To: ConservingFreedom (#62)
Too dim to find and read the actual decision. So predictable.
Roscoe posted on 2016-05-18 17:33:06 Reply Private Reply
#64: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#62)
Colorado's regulation of pot legalized the manufacture, possession, and distribution of it. Ending Colorado's regulation of pot ends that legalization and places marijuana under federal control.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-18 17:45:24 Reply Private Reply
#65: ConservingFreedom To: Roscoe (#63)
What "decision"?
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 17:46:40 Reply Private Reply
#66: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#64)
Wrong - ending regulation in no way implies re-establishing penalties, and the suit does not call for such.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-18 17:47:56 Reply Private Reply
#67: nolu chan To: misterwhite, ConservingFreedom (#64)
Actually, Colorado decriminalized pot at the state level. It remains as illegal as ever.
Hypothetically, a President Trump could decide to enforce the Federal law and to withdraw any and all form of Federal benefits to renegade states, or perhaps the Federal government could charge, try, and convict the Governor for aiding, abetting, facilitating, or promoting the citizenry of Colorado in the violation of Federal laws.
That there is no State criminal statute against pot does not change the fact that there is a Federal statute that President Obama is failing to enforce. A different president may choose to fully enforce the Federal law. Or not.
nolu chan posted on 2016-05-18 18:03:07 Reply Private Reply
#68: misterwhite To: nolu chan (#67)
Nope. Colorado actually legalized it for those 21 and older. No penalties. You can grow it, buy it, smoke it, carry it around and give it to friends.
It is still, however, illegal at the federal level but Obama has said the DOJ will not enforce federal law in states that legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use.
Yes, Trump can change that policy. I hope he does. And I agree with you that the Governor of Colorado should be arrested and charged with sedition, along with anyone in the state legislature who voted for legalization.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-18 18:37:25 Reply Private Reply
#69: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#66)
Once again you're putting words in my mouth. Ending regulation ends the Colorado legalization program. The federal government would then be responsible for enforcing federal marijuana laws in Colorado. Colorado cannot be forced to enforce federal law. Nor can Colorado be forced to write state laws making marijuana illegal.
But then you'd have a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner.
You know what? I'm with you on this one. Colorado should NOT re-establish penalties. Let's see what REAL Libertarian freedom is like.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-18 18:52:16 Reply Private Reply
#70: nolu chan To: misterwhite (#68)
Nope. Colorado has no authority to override Federal law. Pot is unlawful today in all 50 states. It is just that the Obama Administration is not enforcing the law. It is no more legal than open borders or sanctuary cities.
http://law.justia.com/codes/us/2013/title-21/chapter-13/subchapter-i/part-d/section-841/
nolu chan posted on 2016-05-18 20:01:10 Reply Private Reply
#71: misterwhite To: nolu chan (#70)
You are correct that pot remains illegal in all 50 states at the federal level.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 09:36:19 Reply Private Reply
#72: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#68)
Trump: "In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/10/29/trump-wants-marijuana-legalization-decided-at-the-state-level/
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 11:45:30 Reply Private Reply
#73: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#69)
Agreed.
That's what the suit calls for: an end to the regulation - "affirmative authorization" - of pot but not its legality ("Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana").
You're not with me on this one because I don't want pot legal for children (nor does pot being sold anywhere by anyone strike me as a good idea). But again, that's what the suit calls for - which is why my answer to "Should the suit go nowhere?" is "yes".
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 11:52:51 Reply Private Reply
#74: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#72)
I'd like to see that (and a whole lot of others issues) decided by each state, too. But it wouldn't work. Already the legal marijuana in Colorado is being found in the surrounding states where it remains illegal.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 11:56:31 Reply Private Reply
#75: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#73)
Because the suit doesn't call for re-criminalization?
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 11:58:36 Reply Private Reply
#76: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#75)
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 12:17:52 Reply Private Reply
#77: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#74)
And alcohol from elsewhere is found in dry counties; what's the proper policy conclusion?
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 12:18:40 Reply Private Reply
#78: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#76)
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 12:37:29 Reply Private Reply
#79: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#77)
False analogy. It's perfectly legal to possess and consume alcohol in a dry county. A "dry" county is one which does not sell or serve alcohol.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 12:43:43 Reply Private Reply
#80: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#78)
The suit calls for ending the "legalization program", i.e. regulation, of marijuana for recreational use. It does not prevent nor require Colorado's enacting new marijuana laws. You pointed out the problem with that: "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner."
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 12:44:40 Reply Private Reply
#81: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#74)
If alcohol from elsewhere were found in Alaska's "local option communities" that ban the sale, importation, and possession of alcohol*, what would be the proper policy conclusion?
*https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/9/pub/ABC/DryDampCommunities/Localopt01-22-15.pdf
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 13:14:35 Reply Private Reply
#82: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#81)
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 15:15:00 Reply Private Reply
#83: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#80)
Which is why Colorado would voluntarily re-enact their old laws. No one has to force them.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 15:16:21 Reply Private Reply
#84: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#82)
Should it lead there again? If not, why should the same difficulties with regard to marijuana lead to (or keep us at) national marijuana prohibition?
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 15:26:27 Reply Private Reply
#85: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#83)
Far from clear. Their old laws saw dealers on less than every street corner - but did a poor job (if national averages are any guide) in keeping pot away from kids, while ensuring that ONLY cartels and other criminals profited from the pot trade.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 15:30:20 Reply Private Reply
#86: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#85)
Fine. So they wouldn't. I really don't care whether they do or they don't. Why is this an issue with you?
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 15:43:11 Reply Private Reply
#87: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#84)
Let's see. Alcohol is finding it's way from one community in Alaska to another community in Alaska. You're asking if we should consider going back to nationwide Prohibition because of that?
Answer: No.
"If not, why should the same difficulties with regard to marijuana lead to (or keep us at) national marijuana prohibition?"
Since Alaska's problems are not interstate, Congress doesn't have the authority.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 15:52:25 Reply Private Reply
#88: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#87)
If a significant amount of the alcohol in Alaska comes from the lower 48 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it did), there's your "substantial effect" basis for congressional action.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 16:18:33 Reply Private Reply
#89: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#86)
Really? You don't care if the suit leads Colorado to consider its least bad remaining option to be "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner"? I don't want to see Colorado thus cornered.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-19 16:20:42 Reply Private Reply
#90: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#88)
Is it? Seems farfetched, in that they can literally go next door to get whatever they want.
The marijuana coming out of Colorado, however, is real and presents a problem to the adjacent states. Perhaps Colorado should spend some of that tax revenue to keep a lid on it.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 19:06:24 Reply Private Reply
#91: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#89)
Colorado should consider it's experiment in legal marijuana to be a failure and simply go back to the way it was before Amendment 64.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-19 19:12:15 Reply Private Reply
#92: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#90)
And where did next door get it?
Do Nebraska and Oklahoma have no state-grown pot?
(Pun intended?) I'd like to see these states reach a solution with discretion and prudence - of which the suit offers none.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-20 11:05:27 Reply Private Reply
#93: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#91)
How has it failed?
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-20 11:06:11 Reply Private Reply
#94: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#93)
Colorado is being sued because they failed to keep their crap within state lines. You call that success?
How has it failed. Buy a fucking clue for once.
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-20 12:15:37 Reply Private Reply
#95: misterwhite To: ConservingFreedom (#92)
Who cares where they legally got it and why does that concern you?
"Do Nebraska and Oklahoma have no state-grown pot?"
You mean state-grown pot that they sell to recreational users including children? I mean, that's the is issue here, right? Or do you wish to change the subject?
"I'd like to see these states reach a solution with discretion and prudence - of which the suit offers none.'
I'm guessing the lawsuit was the result of a failed attempt to reach a solution with discretion and prudence. No? You think Nebraska and Oklahoma just decided one day to commit millions of dollars t to a lawsuit?
misterwhite posted on 2016-05-20 12:24:10 Reply Private Reply
#96: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#94)
That means nothing to the evaulation of success unless and until Colorado loses the suit.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-20 12:47:16 Reply Private Reply
#97: ConservingFreedom To: misterwhite (#95)
If next door got it from the lower 48 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it did), there's your "substantial effect" basis for congressional action.
Pot grown in Nebraska and Oklahoma, in violation of state law, would be sold to recreational users - and, due to lack of effective regulation in the black market, that would include children - yes.
If that exists in more than negligible quantities, then that situation remains comparable to that of Alaska's "local option communities" that ban the sale, importation, and possession of alcohol and their neighbors who let their interstate-commerce-acquired alcohol into those communities.
I doubt the suit was their first move - but I have no idea whether their final offer to Colorado represented discretion and prudence as opposed to, say, a desire to beat the Reefer Madness drum for the voters.
ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-05-20 13:00:12 Reply Private Reply