Pot Not Winning New Support, But More Users

A new federal report shows regular (monthly) marijuana usage in Colorado increased from ten to twelve percent (10.4% to 12.7%), ranking the state second highest after Rhode Island. That equals about 530,000 frequent users. State studies show daily users are about a fifth of the group and account for more than half the pot sold (67%). The number of heavy users is supposedly increasing. Reliable data on the impact of commercializing pot use is still hard to find.

Even the Denver Post, the paper of record for marijuana legalization, editorialized concern about the growth in usage.

And the public hasn’t changed their mind after a year of commercialization and two years post the November 2012 passage by 55 percent. They are still closely divided. A new Denver Post automated survey of 800 shows most of the respondents would vote the same way (90%). And like people nationally, more than half of the state’s voters would favor a national law for legalization. But 38 percent believe the state’s reputation was negatively impacted.

• 53% believe state regulatory performance is either fair or poor. 42% only said it was good or excellent. Two-thirds rate educating young as fair or poor.
• 22% use marijuana, more men, under 50 with high school education or less. 78% smoke it.

Surveys during last November’s election showed Colorado voters closely split on their support and opposition to legalization, with younger voters much more in favor than older.

But, commercialization has set in. The industry gives campaign contributions, has an army of lobbyists and acts as a cartel trying to limit new competitors. Coloradans hopefully like what they have. It will be hard to get rid of it.